How to Answer a Lawsuit for Debt Collection in Texas

If you have been served with a lawsuit for debt collection in Texas, you have a limited amount of time to respond. Here are the steps you should take to answer a lawsuit for debt collection in Texas:

1. Read the lawsuit carefully: The lawsuit will contain important information about the debt, the amount owed, and the creditor's claims. Make sure you understand the allegations and the claims being made against you.

2. Prepare your response: You will need to prepare a written response to the lawsuit. Your response should include a statement of whether you agree or disagree with each of the allegations in the lawsuit. If you disagree with any of the allegations, you should explain why.

3. File your response: You must file your response with the court within the time period specified in the lawsuit, which is usually 20-30 days. You may need to pay a filing fee when you file your response.

4. Serve your response: After you file your response, you must serve a copy of it on the creditor or their attorney. You can do this by mail or by having a process server deliver it to them.

5. Attend court hearings: After you file your response, the court will schedule a hearing. You should plan to attend the hearing and present your case to the judge. You may also want to consider hiring an attorney to represent you.

6. Negotiate a settlement: If you cannot afford to pay the full amount of the debt, you may be able to negotiate a settlement with the creditor. You should discuss your options with an attorney or a credit counseling agency.

It's important to take the lawsuit seriously and respond in a timely manner. Failure to respond can result in a default judgment against you, which could lead to wage garnishment, bank account seizure, or other collection actions.