conversation: User (throwawayaccthelp): "This is a throwaway account for obvious reasons. I was just served with papers by the sheriffs department for a credit card debt. And I am just clueless as to what to do. I DID read the FAQ and information provided in this subreddit, but there is only one tiny paragraph pertaining specifically to being served.\n\nDid also Google it, but most sites don't seem to clarify anything and suggest retaining a lawyer. If I could afford a lawyer I wouldn't be in debt. I know you can apply for low income or free services, but the closest one is 4 hours away.\n\nHere are the details:\n\n2 years ago, I was opening a small at home business and wanted to apply for a loan to get it started, I qualified, but only for a business  credit card through my local bank. It had an $8,500 limit and I used approximately $5,000 of it to get my business up and running. \n\nI was already well on the path of paying it off, when my husband got laid off from his job that lost their contract. He was able to pay all our bills, and groceries with his income, and my income was left for paying off my debt, running my business, and fun money. \n\nOur house went into foreclosure, all our debts piled up, I used my credit cards to keep us afloat and my business tanked. It took him a year to find a job, (part time only of course, and barely that, can't find anything else around here, very small town, no opportunities, 400 people apply for one part time at a mcdonalds). Luckily I got a part time job through an acqaiuntance, which was all I could get, and they won't give anymore hours. Neither of us have college degrees. No insurance, no 401k, NO SAVINGS, no additional income, no help from friends or family. \n\nLuckily the house payment got lowered to a reasonable amount so we managed to save that BARELY at the last second, but all our credit card debts we could no longer pay at all, just couldn't keep up so now they are all coming after us.\n\nWe have two paid off cars, the house is only is husbands name, we own nothing else of any value, we've sold many things out of our house during times when we couldn't afford food or electricity. \n\nWith court costs and fees, my debt for this particular one is almost $10K. After paying bills (all utilities, mortgage, insurance for cars), and food/house staples, and gas for both cars, we don't have but maybe $40 a month left over if we are lucky.\n\nSo what do I do? How do I even begin to deal with all this debt and nothing to work with? And I know one more for me is coming, and then 3 more for my husband (a home improvement loan, back when he had that great job and we thought it was time to fix our house up which is rotting in the walls and ceilings) and two small credit card debts. I would say our total for both of us is at least $25K in debt. And we do not have the income to settle with them and there isn't any relatives to help us out.\n\nEDIT: Speaking to a lawyer tomorrow. Really wan't to see about to dealing with them all in one fell swoop so I can unstress our marriage and family and get back to living a life debt free and back to just normal. Thanks for all the advice, it was all very helpful and informative and easy to understand. But I WILL let you guys know how it went, and keep you updated! :)\n\nEDIT EDIT: Thanks to everyone who reported the bullies and the guy who told me to go kill myself. I just don't understand how anyone forced those negative people to even comment in a thread asking for a specific advice when all they have to offer is bullying. *shakes head* I am a stubborn person, and I don't give up easily. The fact that I started this thread shows I am already taking baby steps to get out of this. It won't happen overnight and it won't be easy, but I am determined that I will take each issue one at a time. Worry about the big things later. My life sucks, but I know only I have the power to change it, and I am just glad that people understand that sometimes you get kicked so hard that it's hard to feel good about anything. So thanks to all the great comments, and positivity and really kind and HELPFUL private messages I have received. "
  Self: "In case you missed the "I've been served papers" section in the FAQ, I'll sum up...\n\nGo to court! If you don't show, you'll have a default judgement against you."
  User (throwawayaccthelp): "I am aware I need to show, but what do I do? What do I say? What are my options? How can I come to some arrangement with them? That paragraph doesn't go into any kind of detail on what you do when you get there."
  NBC_is_pretty_good (NBC_is_pretty_good): "See if the debt is being collected by the original credit card company or a third party who bought the debt from the CC company.  If it is a third party, you could be in very good position. \n\nMany of these debts are bought in large pools where the CC company gives the debt purchaser little more than an amount and your personal info.  They bank on the fact that no shows for these types of hearings are around 90% so they can get a default judgement.  \n\nShow up and ask to see the original credit agreement, transaction history, or an itemized list showing how they arrived at the total you owe.  They are often unable to produce these things and will drop the case outright. \n\nSource: This American Life "The Magic Words""
  User (throwawayaccthelp): "It is definitely a third party collector."
  NBC_is_pretty_good (NBC_is_pretty_good): "You could be in luck.\n\nhttp://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/532/magic-words?act=0#play \n"
  dweezil22 (dweezil22): "TL;DR \n\n"You owe us [very specific number]"\n\n"How did you arrive at that number?"\n\n"Ummm, let me talk to my client. [returns] We're dropping the case""
  User (throwawayaccthelp): "Oh man that sounds awesome. Definitely helpful thank you!"
  