I have received a summons from a law firm representing a credit card company I owe. I have been working with a debt consolidation company and the credit card company has denied our settlement offer. I need to file an answer, and fast, but I have been on the LA Superior court website all morning and am so confused. I dont want to file the general denial, just the answer. Is that form the answer civil case form? How do I file it? How many copies do I need? Does it have to be notarized? I am so confused! I am not working right now, and cannot afford a lawyer.
I have dealt with this situation for many of my clients, where they hired a debt consolidation or negotiation firm that does not function well or is unable to deal with the situation, once it goes to court. Please visit my web site's first video on the home page (see link, below), which will help you understand your options. I also have linked below to my legal guide on debt consolidation/debt negotiation companies, many of which turn out to be a scam or make matters worse. I would suggest you get experienced counsel to assist you on this matter.
Robert Stempler (please see DISCLAIMER below)
www.StopCollectionLawsuits.com
Twitter: @RStempler
In the event you absolutely cannot afford an attorney to defend you, you can represent yourself "in pro per". You would file either an Answer or a General Denial, and pay the first appearance filing fee.
The form for the Answer is (Judicial Council Form PLD-C-010):
http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/pldc010.pdf
The form for the General Denial is (Judicial Council Form PLD-050):
http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/pld050.pdf
The answer does not need to be notarized.
File the original Answer and submit one copy to be "conformed" to the court clerk. Have another copy mailed to the plaintiff's counsel. Someone other than yourself should sign the Proof of Service.
Peter Walter WestonBankruptcy AttorneyBellaire, TX ·
You should confer with an experienced debt defense attorney, and if you have no funds, contact a legal aid clinic, a local law school, charitable organizations, or a volunteer attorney.
Your prospects without an attorney are slim.
