Stop creditor lawsuits · Beverly Hills
Stop Creditor Lawsuits in Beverly Hills Before Your Answer Deadline
To stop creditor lawsuits in Beverly Hills, a bankruptcy filing pauses the case right away, and a discharge can wipe out the debt behind it. If you were served with a summons, call (310) 362-9071 today. You usually have 30 days to respond before a default can be entered.
- Filing pauses the lawsuit
- Most credit card and loan debts can be discharged
- A judgment can still be dealt with in bankruptcy
- Do not let the deadline pass
Signs you need to act now
- You were handed or mailed a summons and complaint
- A debt buyer you never heard of is suing you
- You missed the answer deadline and fear a default judgment
- A judgment was entered and garnishment is next
- More than one creditor is suing or threatening to sue
How we stop a lawsuit, step by step
- Check the deadline. We look at how and when you were served to find your answer date.
- Choose the right fix. One lawsuit for a disputed amount may be better answered in court. Several debts usually point to bankruptcy.
- File the case. Filing stops the lawsuit in its tracks through the automatic stay.
- Notify the court and creditor. We file a notice of bankruptcy in the state court case.
- Discharge the debt. When your case ends, the debt behind the lawsuit is usually discharged, and the lawsuit is dismissed.
- Clean up any judgment. If a judgment was already entered, we look at removing a judgment lien from your home when the law allows.
Cost and timeline
Our flat fees start at $1,200 plus the court filing fee, with payment plans. You get the exact fee in writing at the consultation.
The lawsuit pauses the day we file. The debt is discharged at the end of the case, usually a few months later in Chapter 7.
Collection lawsuits in Los Angeles
Most collection lawsuits against Beverly Hills residents are filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, often as limited civil cases. Your bankruptcy is filed in the Los Angeles Division of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, at 255 East Temple Street, and a notice of the filing goes to the Superior Court case.
California gives you 30 days after personal service to file an answer in most cases, with more time when papers are served another way. Debt buyers often file in bulk and sometimes cannot prove the debt, so even when bankruptcy is not the answer, the lawsuit may be defensible.
Mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring the summons. A default judgment can lead to garnishment and levies.
- Agreeing to a payment plan you cannot keep. Missed payments often lead straight to judgment.
- Assuming you have no defense. Old debts may be past the statute of limitations.
- Paying one creditor while others wait. The next lawsuit often follows.
Related services
A judgment usually leads to collection, so read how to stop wage garnishment and how to stop a bank levy in Beverly Hills. If the calls are nonstop, see stop creditor harassment.
Creditor lawsuit questions
Does filing bankruptcy stop a lawsuit against me?
Yes, filing bankruptcy stops most collection lawsuits against you right away. The case is paused, and if the debt is discharged, the lawsuit ends. A few types of cases, such as some family law matters, are not stopped.
Can I file bankruptcy after a judgment is entered?
Yes, you can file bankruptcy after a judgment. The debt behind the judgment can usually still be discharged, and a judgment lien on your home can sometimes be removed.
How long do I have to answer a lawsuit in California?
You usually have 30 days after personal service to answer a lawsuit in California, and a little longer for other kinds of service. Call us before the deadline, not after.
Should I file bankruptcy or fight the lawsuit?
Whether to file bankruptcy or fight the lawsuit depends on how many debts you have and whether the creditor can prove its case. One weak lawsuit may be worth fighting. Several debts usually point to bankruptcy.
Free consultation
Call before your answer deadline
Call (310) 362-9071 or send the form. Have the summons and complaint with you.
Law Offices of John Asuncion9454 Wilshire Blvd., Penthouse Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 362-9071
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.