GA Credit Card Lawyer

We Defend Credit Card Lawsuits all across the State of Georgia

Searching for a GA Credit Card Lawyer

The process of searching for a GA lawyer who specializes in the defense of debt collection lawsuits, including credit card lawsuits, is not only difficult, but somewhat risky. After being served with the lawsuit, one of the first impulses is to search for information online. Be careful. The market for "debt relief" solutions is very large and businesses offering "debt relief" in the form of "credit repair," "debt counseling," or "debt consolidation," may be predatory, with offers that are less than transparent, if not deceptive or false. Hiring the assistance of a lawyer may be for the filing of a bankruptcy, to defend the collection lawsuit, to negotiate a favorable settlement, and/or to file consumer protection claims, depending on the facts of each case. Each of these options involve different practice areas and require specialized legal knowledge and experience.

Affordable Legal Representation

The reason there are so few "credit card lawyers" is due to the problem of "cost efficiency." While credit card lawsuits usually involve claims under $10,000.00 on average, they follow the same procedures as most other civil cases, and impose the same demands on the attorney's time. No matter which type of debt relief is being offered, the sales pitch hinges on affordability and the likelihood of reducing the client's debt. Therefore, the lawyer and client have to agree on a fee that fairly considers the amount of time required from the lawyer, compared with the amount of the debt and any savings that may be obtained for the client. Different companies, lawyers, and law firms have found different ways to strike this balance.

Choosing a Credit Card Lawyer

When searching online for a "credit card lawyer," "debt defense lawyer," "debt relief," etc., the results usually fall into one of the following categories: 1.) referral sites and online publications/ads; 2.) nationwide law firms and debt consolidation companies; and, 3.) GA lawyers and law firms. From this vulnerable position, where truthful and unbiased information is desperately needed, how should you proceed?

Experience Defending Collection Lawsuits

Solutions to Credit Card Lawsuits

Rule #1: Beware of attempts to "pigeonhole" debtors in credit card lawsuits by advertising a single debt relief solution. The right response to a credit card lawsuit depends on the client's particular circumstances and the facts of each case. In some cases, bankruptcy is the right solution. In others, the best answer may involve litigation or the filing of consumer protection claims, in order to create additional leverage for a more favorable settlement at a later date. In cases involving larger dollar amounts, clients may also benefit from advice and counseling on extrajudicial matters, such as asset and estate planning. The best credit card lawyer is one who can provide you with information on all available debt relief options and advise you on the risks and benefits of each one.

Rule #2: Remember "cost-efficiency." For all lawyers, time is money. The goal is to limit the time spent on the case where the fee is for a set amount. One way this is done is for the lawyer to file an initial response to the lawsuit and avoid a default judgment, and then try to work out a settlement before trial, with as little litigation as possible. Another way is to take the specialized knowledge and experience obtained in thousands of consumer and small business collection cases, to offer a comprehensive approach to "debt relief," employing strategies that exploit inherent weaknesses in the debt collection process, and can be applied in large numbers of cases.

Rule #3: Accountability. The client's main goal is often affordability. While the cost of legal representation is always of concern, it shouldn't come at the risk of accountability. Hiring a lawyer who was found online, without a face to face meeting, based on phone calls and the exchange of emailed documents, has become commonplace. However, the geographic location of the law firm you hire can still make a difference. To represent you in a GA courtroom, an attorney has to be licensed to practice law in GA. National debt settlement law firms headquartered outside the State of GA may not be licensed or employ licensed attorneys in this state. If you read their contract carefully, it may be the case that they have no obligation to show up in court, or to enter an appearance as your attorney of record. For those firms that agree to provide you with an attorney, you should pay special attention to how this is done. "Appearance attorneys" can be hired inexpensively to show up on any court calendar for a small fee, but they may have no knowledge of the facts or law that apply to your case.