What to Expect If Your Debt Case Goes to Court

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The Debt Hotline

Team Solo

47 episodes

1 week ago

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by debt or confused by a court summons, you're not alone—and you're not powerless.

The Debt Hotline is your direct line to clarity, confidence, and control over your financial future. Hosted by legal expert George Simons and financial wellness advocate Hannah Locklear, this show breaks down the debt collection process, teaches you how to respond to lawsuits, and gives you real, actionable steps to take back control.

With insights from industry pros, real listener questions, and practical guidance, The Debt Hotline helps you navigate debt with knowledge and courage. Don’t panic—get informed. Call in, tune in, and let’s get you back on track.

All content for The Debt Hotline is the property of Team Solo and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

What to Expect If Your Debt Case Goes to Court

The Debt Hotline

46 minutes

2 months ago

What to Expect If Your Debt Case Goes to Court

If you've been sued for debt and have no idea what happens next, this episode of The Debt Hotline is for you. Host Hannah Locklear is joined by Yale Levy, a former debt collection attorney with over 20 years of experience on both sides of the debt collection process. Together, they walk through the debt collection lawsuit process, from the first collection letter to your day in court, and offer tips for navigating it without losing control of your finances.

Yale offers a rare, behind-the-scenes view of how creditors and collection law firms operate and what they’re really hoping for when they sue you. Spoiler: most of them don’t want to go to trial either. If you’ve received a summons, filed an Answer, or are worried about garnishment, this episode will give you the clarity (and confidence) to take your next step.

Sued for debt? Use Solo to resolve it: https://www.solosuit.com/?utm=podcast

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Enter for a chance to win $4,700 to help pay off your debt: https://www.solosuit.com/giveaway?utm_source=podcast + $500 mini prizes every Friday in September. Enter daily for more chances to win!

What happens after a creditor sues you, and why you were selected for a lawsuit
The importance of responding with an Answer (and how Solo can help)
What to expect during hearings and trials, from opening statements to final rulings
How to negotiate a settlement at any stage of the lawsuit
The financial risks of ignoring your case, including wage garnishment and liens

Real listener questions answered:

“I’m on SSI—can they freeze my account or garnish me?”
“I got a dismissal notice without prejudice. Should I sign it?”
“What happens at arbitration, and can I settle beforehand?”
“I’m being sued for a debt that was sold—can they still do that?”

The bottom line: Filing an Answer gives you negotiation power and can delay or even prevent a judgment entirely. Most collectors prefer to settle out of court since trials are costly and time-consuming. If you ignore your case, garnishment and liens can kick in, taking control away from you and adding court fees and interest. Settling gives you the power to choose how and when you pay. And if your only income is from SSI or disability, it’s likely protected, but you still need to respond to protect yourself. Solo can help you file your Answer, and SoloSettle lets you negotiate a payment plan or lump sum on your terms.

To submit a question to The Debt Hotline:

Call 801-613-8181 and leave a voicemail
Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/28gd4XFsq6ybN4Qu8
Send an email to support@solosuit.com