If I received a summons for debt owed to a hospital, what are my options?
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If I received a summons for debt owed to a hospital, what are my options?
I received a summons of debt owed to a hospital. Should we not appear in court, what will happen next? We don’t deny the debt, but have had trouble paying it as our finances are tight. If we appear, it will mean missed hrs at work and knowing we will lose the case anyway. Can we contact the plaintiff and see if we can make a payment agreement to avoid garnishments?
Asked on August 15, 2011 Oregon
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If you were served with a summons and complaint concerning a debt allegedly owed to a hospital, you have thirty (30) days to answer it with a filed pleadings or be subject to a default and default judgment.
If you owe on the obligation the best way to resolve it is to enter into a written agreement signed by yourself and a representative for the hospital setting forth the amount of the debt and a monthly installment plan that you can afford and make the monthly payments like clockwork.
The problem is that the hospital does not have to agree on a monthly installment payment plan, but most creditors do beacuse they realize it is cost efficient to have debtors make monthly payments than none at all. Monthly installments prevent the anxiety of garnishments and other collection activities on a judgment.
Good luck.
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