If you are served with a lawsuit, you may find yourself feeling confused, frustrated, and upset.  It may be tempting to ignore the suit and hope it will go away on its own.  It won’t, and ignoring it could result in very serious consequences and high costs later on.

For example, if you are sued by a creditor and you ignore the suit and choose not to participate in your defense, your inaction is equivalent to agreeing with everything the creditor says in their legal documents.  You are essentially admitting that you owe the money.

If you do not respond, your creditor will obtain a default judgment against you for the amount of their claim, and possibly, money for their attorney’s fees as well.  The creditor can then enforce their judgment by garnishing your wages or levying your bank account until the entire amount of the judgment is paid.  A garnishment can take up to 25% of your gross paycheck, and a levy can potentially take all the money in your bank account.

There can also be serious consequences if you do not respond to a notice of foreclosure.  Even if you are trying to work with your mortgage lender on a loan modification, it’s important that you also respond to the notice of foreclosure.  If you do not respond, your mortgage holder may obtain a court order that your home be sold at a trustee’s sale, and you will then face eviction by the sheriff. 

If you receive any notice of a legal proceeding, in any type of case, please contact the experienced trial attorneys at San Diego Law Firm for an appointment.  We can explain the numerous options available to you to resolve the dispute, and help you choose the best one for your situation.  For lawsuits, these options may include settlement discussions, mediation, arbitration, or motions to dismiss the court case; for foreclosures, they may include a HAMP program application and/or a bankruptcy filing.  There are other options depending on the type of legal case you are facing.

By obtaining good legal counsel early on, you’ll avoid the possibility of a default judgment with a wage garnishment and/or a bank levy.  You’ll also have the peace of mind of knowing you are receiving high-quality legal help by seasoned attorneys who have your best interests at heart.  If you have been served with a lawsuit, or received a notice of foreclosure or other legal proceeding, please contact San Diego Law Firm today at (619) 794-0243 for help.