If you owe money to a credit card company, medical provider, furniture store, or another creditor, and you don’t pay or get behind in payments, you might get sued at some point. When a creditor or collection agency sues you for nonpayment of a debt, you’ll get a copy of the complaint (lawsuit) and the chance to respond. After you file and serve your response to the creditor lawsuit, you’ll receive written notification of all further proceedings in your case. Once you’ve responded to the suit, the case will proceed to discovery, settlement conferences, motions for summary judgment, and (perhaps) a trial.

You may face a debt collection lawsuit for old credit card or other consumer debt, or unpaid medical bills — and it’s crucial to respond to the summons. Ignoring the lawsuit puts you at risk for wage garnishment and lowers your chances of disputing that you owe the debt. The defense process for a debt collection lawsuit can be complicated. Consult with an attorney or a local legal aid office. Options for handling the court hearing may include: setting up a payment plan with the creditor, settling the debt for less than you owe, or disputing the debt.