Category Archives: Post Judgment Collection

How Fast Can Judgment Be Obtained in a Debt Collection Case

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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

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.

 

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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.

Collection Law Firms Post -Judgment Discovery

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Collection Law Firms Ensure Debtor Compliance with Discovery in a Debt Collection Matter

After a judgment is obtained in a debt collection case, the Court typically orders that the debtor be required to answer post-judgment discovery. Our collection lawyers can either take the deposition of the debtor or prepare interrogatories to assist our collection law firm discover assets in the debt collection matter. Depending on the balance of money owed to our client, our collection attorney will recommend which is the most cost effective way to proceed.
Our collection attorneys are able to compel the debtor in a debt collection matter to make a full financial disclosure of its assets. If the debtor does not comply our collection lawyer will petition the Court to have the debtor appear for the Judge and explain why the debtor has not provided the required financial disclosure. Once there is a disclosure our collection law firm will discuss with the creditor the best way to attach assets.

Miami Dade Court House

Miami Dade County Court House

Our collection attorney always asks a client if they have any bank account information from past business transactions with the debtor. The debtor may be using the same bank account. Our collection lawyer will then have the Court issue a writ of garnishment. The writ of garnishment is then served on the bank. If the debtor still maintains accounts, the bank will notify our debt collection law firm. Then after 30 days, our collection lawyers will petition the court to then turn over the funds being held by the bank to our attorney trust account on behalf of our clients.
Our collection law firm would be happy to discuss post judgment collection strategies and or debt collection strategies with you. Please feel free to contact our collection law firm and speak to our debt collection attorneys. Our debt recovery firm would be happy to devise a collection strategy that is just right for your company.
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Florida Collection Case Default Judgment

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Stephen Gebeloff Florida Colletion Lawyer

Florida Collection Attorney

In Florida, once a Florida Collection Law Suit has been filed, the Clerk of Court will assign a case number.  The Clerk will also issue a summons to be served on the Florida Debtor with the collection lawsuit.  The summons will direct the  debtor  to file a responsive pleading to the creditors allegations contained in  the complaint within twenty (20) days. If the debtor does not file a responsive pleading,  our Florida collection attorney will petition the Court to enter Default. If a responsive pleading is filed, litigation with ensue pursuant to the Florida Rules of Court. The Florida litigation process will be examined in future posts.

If Default is entered, our Florida collection law firm will prepare an affidavit for the creditor to fill out and return to our office. The affidavit will indicate how much money is due to the creditor.  Once the affidavit  is returned to our Florida collection lawyer will file a motion to enter default judgment with the Court.  Our  Florida collection law firm will ask the court  for  the costs incurred  by the creditor to file the collection lawsuit and prejudgment interest. In Florida each party is responsible to pay  their own attorney’s fees in a collection case unless there is  a written agreement between the parties allowing the recovery of reasonable attorneys’ fees , the purchase orders and or invoices  allow for the recovery of attorney’s fees or as allowed  by a Florida Statute.

Once Default Judgment is entered in Florida, our Florida Collection Firm and collection lawyer will be able to begin enforcing the Judgment and  attempt to collect your money that is due.  Post Judgment collection techniques in Florida will be discussed in other posts on this site.

There are many things to consider when trying to collect a Judgment in Florida. Please feel free to contact our Florida Collection Firm to discuss your Florida collection cases. After a review of your case, Mr. Gebeloff will devise a collection strategy that is appropriate for you.

Contact Stephen B. Gebeloff, P.A., Collection Law Firm at (561) 953-4600 or email Mr. Gebeloff [email protected] to discuss your Florida debt collection needs.

 

Collecting Out of State Judgments

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If you are trying to collect money on an out of state judgment, Florida Courts will give out of state Judgments Full Faith and Credit, recognizing them as if they were entered by a Florida Court. To effectuate collection on your out of State Judgment, you will need to first record the Judgment. The clerk will give the debtor thirty (30) days to contest the validity of the Judgment. Typically the most common defense is the foreign court did not have proper personal jurisdiction over the debtor.

After the thirty (30) days have elapsed, creditors will be in a position to begin proceedings to collect their money. Our Florida Judgment Collection Law Firm and Collection Attorney are here to assist creditors collect their out of state judgments.

If you have any further questions regarding the Florida debt collection process, collecting on out of state judgments or the  Florida debt collection process, feel free to call or email our collection lawyer to answer your questions.

 

Florida Post Judgment Discovery

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In Florida, after a creditor obtains a judgment it can serve post judgment interrogatories in aide-of-execution or choose to subpoena an officer or the person with the most knowledge of the debtor’s finances for  deposition. Depending on the size of the collection matter it may be more cost effective to first send interrogatories. In either case the debtor must provide a full disclosure of its assets including, but not limited to, its bank accounts, automobiles, equipment and or other real and personal property. In Florida if the debtor does not comply with post judgment discovery, a Writ for the Bodily Attachment may be issued by a Florida Judge.

Once the creditor has a full understanding of the debtor’s assets, a determination can be made as to whether or not it would be costs effective to pursue its Florida Collection matter further.

Contact Stephen B. Gebeloff, P.A., Collection Law Firm at (561) 953-4600 or email Mr. Gebeloff [email protected] to discuss your post judgment debt collection needs.

 

Post Judgment Collection in Florida

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After a Judgment is obtained in Florida there are several different methods to consider to effectively liquidate your judgment. However, as a matter of routine practice a certified copy of the Florida Judgment should be recorded in any Florida county that you believe the debtor may have real property. This will act as a lien against that property. The Judgment should also be recorded with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations to secure a judgment lien against the debtor’s personal property.

Our firm will attempt to garnish a debtor’s bank account if that information is available. Surprisingly, many debtors have paid our clients in the past and still use the same bank account. If there is no banking information available, our collection firm will serve a Fact Information Sheet, pursuant to the Florida Rules of Court on the debtor. If the debtor fails to answer the Fact Information Sheet in a timely manner, our law firm can petition the Court to have the debtor appear before the Court and tell the Judge why it has not furnished our firm with the debtor’s financial information. If the debtor fails to appear before the Court, the Judge can order that a Writ of Bodily Attachment be issued. If that occurs, the debtor will be picked up by the Sheriff’s Department and face possible incarceration for failure to comply and appear before the Court.

Our firm may consider other avenues such as bringing in a successor entity or the debtor’s principals for fraudulently transferring its assets to either an insider of the debtor or another closely held entity. We can take a debtor’s post judgment deposition to discover assets. We can also serve a wage garnishment, if we are able to determine a place of employment for the debtor.

There are many things to consider when trying to collect a Judgment in Florida. Please feel free to contact our Florida Collection Firm to discuss your Florida Post Judgment matter. After a review of your case, Mr. Gebeloff will devise a post judgment collection strategy that is appropriate for you.

Contact Stephen B. Gebeloff, P.A., Collection Law Firm at (561) 953-4600 or email Mr. Gebeloff [email protected] to discuss your post judgment debt collection needs.