National Recovery Solutions National Recovery Solutions 9903 Paramount Blvd Suite 446 Downey CA 90240 Downey, California

I would take the previous persons advice with a grain of salt.

Indeed.  Kindly tell us how the information I posted was not correct or helpful?  I've been helping folks with credit issues for over 30 years (voluntary) and I've posted much information on RoR-just search this site.  I am also a certified consumer credit counselor (certified with NACCC) and I provide the MANDATORY credit counseling that is required by bankruptcy courts.

I addressed the issue of this person being contacted for a marital debt.  What many divorced folks don't understand is that lenders are NOT a party to a divorce action, and any divorce settlement/decree has no bearing on a creditor.  I learned this the hard way in 1978.  When a court orders an ex-spouse to pay a certain debt as part of the divorce action, that has NO BEARING on the creditor at all because the creditor is not a party to the divorce action.  If you think otherwise, post some evidence to support your position. 

Accusing me of being a creditor was ignorant.

I gave this person good advice to consult with an attorney - to obtain the facts of law from a license professional.  That is certainly better than your suggestion to go to some NON lawyer website that seeks donations.

I am not an attorney.  I would take the previous persons advice with a grain of salt.  First off were you served papers?   Contact the local courts or go online.  Find out if they filed suit.  The previous person does not mention this.  You have the right to go to court and answer the complaint.

They may be trying to scare you.  They are making threats they better carry out.

Now, Creditors are not bound by divorce settlements.  In other words she was ordered to pay.  They don't have to take your name off the account.  Courts can not go that far.

All this talk about consulting an attorney.  The previous person nows you can not afford an attorney.  He knows it money which you don't have.  That's why he tells you all the bad stuff.

You have to answer the complaint.  Find out if they filed suit.  The odds are they are not going to ask you why you have not filed an answer.  Once the lawyers get involved it should be out the collectors hands.

I would start by taping calls.  Send them a debt validation letter and cease and desist letter. Then file complaints with your attorney general of your state. 

You can fight them,  Go to Debtorboards on the internet.  They are a com extension.

Do not try to settle with them.  600.00 to 1900.00 sounds like an interest rate that exceeds prejudgement charges in most states.  They are charging too much.  Tell them to prove it.

By the way when was the last time someone paid on this bill.  Your state probably has Statute of Limitations on unsecured debt.

DO NOT GIVE THEM INFORMATION.............NO ACCOUNT NUMBERS.  tHEY DO NOT SEND SETTLEMENT LETTERS OR RECEIPTS.  THEY WILL BE AFTER YOU FOR MONEY FOR EVER.  BECAUSE THEY WILL TACK ON CHARGES AND MORE CHARGES.  iF YOU PAY THEM YOU ARE RESETTING THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS TO START OVER.

CHECK THE COURTS ONLINE AND CALL.  MONITOR IT WEEKLY.  CHECK WITH THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT AND SEE IF THEY SERVED YOU OR HAVE A PENDING PAPERS.  BE PROACTIVE AND NOT REACTIVE.  MONITOR THE SITUATION.

Research answering a summons.  I wish I had the answer which I won a couple of years ago. I can't find the document on my computer.  Otherwise I would put a copy on here. 

Good luck to you....................  God Bless you

Try a legal aid office if you can't afford an attorney

he said it didn't matter my name was on the account as well, therefore I was responsible.  Is this legal?

In a word:  YES,  If you are on the account as a co-borrower they may indeed sue you for the amount owed.

If the courts order someone to pay, can these clowns really come after me? 

Yes.  Your divorce order is not relevant to them because they were not a party to your divorce action.  If you co-signed the account, you are liable for the debt.  You may SUE your ex for the debt and your divorce order will certainly help you win a judgment against her.

He said I better speak to my attorney because I will need to show up in court unless I pay them $1950.00 by the end of the month. 

Good advice-you need to talk with an attorney about this or try to work out a payment plan that is acceptable to them.

What can I do, I don't have that kind of money to pay these clown or hire an attorney.

You need to contact your ex and demand payment.  Make it very clear to your ex that you will SUE HER if she doesn't immediately remedy this situation.  Unfortunately for you, it appears you are stuck-consult with an attorney, even if it's legal aid.

They said my paycheck will be garnished 25% before taxes. That will put me in a very tight spot if that happens. What can I do?

If they sue you and win, they may indeed seek a garnishment of your wages.  HOWEVER, the amount of any garnishment will be determined BY THE COURT, not them.  If you are truly insolvent, the court would likely make any such garnishment quite small.  You really need to consult with an attorney about this.  Once they win a judgment against you, matters will very quickly get worse for you.

Good luck.