Credit Card Debt Oldsmar | Carolyn Secor, P.A.

Credit Card Lawsuits

Cloud title on your homestead property
If you own a home, a judgment can cloud the title on your HOMESTEAD. Your homestead is protected from a forced sale by this type of creditor. However, you may have difficulty selling or refinancing your property unless you obtain a full or partial release.
Garnish/freeze/take your bank account(s)
A creditor can garnish your bank account. This can happen years after the judgment or very soon after the judgment.

Seize any “non-exempt” property from you
A judgment creditor can force the sale of any non-exempt property that you own. Generally, they do this with a “writ of execution.” They send the sheriff or constable out to your property to search for non-exempt property that can be seized.
Put the judgment on your credit report for 10 years
A judgment is usually reported as a “public record” on your credit report similar to a Bankruptcy. Often this type of record is very detrimental to a credit report because bad debts are supposed to be removed from your credit report after 7 years from the final payment to the original creditor. A judgment, however, can stay on for 10 years or more.

Fight the Lawsuit
We have been successful in getting hundreds of collection lawsuits dismissed or settled for far less than what they are suing for. We offer payment plans as described below.
Settlement
Our firm may be able to assist in you settling this debt and other debts for a substantial reduction in what is owed. Settlement reduces the risk of going to trial and it may improve your credit rating if the debt is currently reporting as a collection account.
Bankruptcy
If you qualify for Bankruptcy, it would stop the lawsuit and most likely discharge all of your credit card debt. This is often the best solution if you anticipate multiple lawsuits on multiple debts. A Chapter 7 Bankruptcy will allow you a fresh start.