How Fast Can Judgment Be Obtained in a Debt Collection Case

Our debt collection client’s frequently ask our collection attorneys-lawyers how long will it take to collect their companies past due account receivables. It is important to note that every debt collection case is unique. Below we will summarize what to expect when your account receivable manager places an account for debt collection with our law firm.

If after a debt collection lawsuit is filed by our collection law firm, the debtor files no responsive pleading to the complaint, twenty (20) days after the summons is served, default will be entered. Thereafter, our debt collection client simply has to execute an affidavit of proof and our collection lawyers-attorneys will prepare a Motion for Default Judgment. In this scenario Judgment can be obtained anywhere from thirty (30) to forty-five (45) days.

Debt Collection Case

If a debt collection case is disputed by a debtor, the timing of a debt collection case depends on the dollar amount of the account receivable. In Florida, if a debt collection account is under $15,000.00 that would put the account in the jurisdiction of the Florida County Court Judicial System. In Florida, debt collection cases filed in the County Court typically go to trial within four to six months after the debt collection case is filed. Debt collection cases filed by our debt collection law firm in Florida that have an account receivable above $15,000.00, put the account in the Jurisdiction of the Circuit Court. Cases in this jurisdiction typically take longer to go to trial than debt collection cases that are filed in the County Court.

As previously indicated, each debt collection case is different. Our collection attorneys-lawyers work with our clients to try and streamline the process and get the debt collection case to trial and secure a judgment as expeditiously as possible. Once a judgment is obtained by our debt collection law firm, our collection attorneys-lawyers and debt collection paralegals will then devise a strategy to then attempt to liquidate the judgement.

We encourage all account managers to call and speak to our collection attorney to devise a comprehensive debt collection strategy for all of their account receivables that have become delinquent. There are many studies that show the longer a creditor waits to take action on collecting past due accounts, the percentage of recovery drops over time.