Sued by a debt collector?
Take a breath — you're not stuck.
Most people never respond to a debt lawsuit — and lose by default, which opens the door to garnished wages and a frozen account. You don't have to be one of them. You have options — start with a free case review and see exactly where you stand.
- ✓ Free, no obligation
- ✓ Reviewed by a California attorney
- ✓ Court work clearly excluded
Start your free case review
Tell us what is happening and what documents you have. We will review whether the limited California creditor-outreach service may fit — free, no obligation.
Got it — we're on it.
A California attorney will review your case and reach out shortly. If your deadline is close, call (424) 351-1371 now.
Why responding matters
Doing nothing is how you lose.
A debt-collection lawsuit doesn't go away on its own. What you do in the first few weeks decides how it ends.
If you ignore it
- • The court enters a default judgment — you lose without a fight.
- • The collector can garnish up to 25% of your wages.
- • Your bank account can be frozen or levied.
- • A lien can attach to your property.
Protect the court deadline separately
- • Contact the court's self-help center, legal aid, or separate litigation counsel.
- • File every required response on time.
- • Do not wait for creditor outreach to pause a lawsuit or enforcement.
- • Send us any new creditor or court communication for the intake record.
How it works
A limited California creditor-outreach process.
Free case review
Tell us who is collecting, the amount, and whether court papers or a deadline are involved. The review is free and creates no representation.
We confirm the limited lane
The standard service is written creditor outreach about one California consumer account. It does not include an Answer, filing, appearance, or deadline protection.
Written creditor outreach
After a signed agreement and the required current account document, Lion Legal may ask for account support and, when appropriate, pursue a written reduction.
A documented result fee
$0 upfront. The result fee is 50% of verified savings on the enrolled account, capped at $1,000. No documented reduction means no result fee. The signed agreement controls.
The fee
$0 upfront. 50% of verified savings, capped at $1,000.
A card may be saved without an upfront charge. The result fee is 50% of verified savings on the enrolled account, with a maximum fee of $1,000. No documented reduction means no result fee. The signed agreement controls the calculation and charge conditions.
The math, plainly:
If the verified starting balance is $8,000 and a documented result reduces it to $6,500, the verified savings are $1,500 and the fee would be $750. If savings were $3,000, the $1,000 cap would apply.Why an attorney
Not a settlement company. Not a form you fill out alone.
The value of the limited service is focused, documented written outreach about one account. Lion Legal can ask the creditor or collector for relevant support and, when sufficiently supported and authorized, pursue a written reduction.
The boundary matters just as much: this engagement does not include an Answer, filing, appearance, litigation strategy, docket monitoring, levy or garnishment response, or deadline protection. Separate court help is required.
Don't wait — the clock is running.
If you've been served, you usually have about 30 days to respond. Get your free case review now, or call and talk it through — free, no obligation.
Your information is confidential. There's no cost and no obligation for the case review.
Common questions
What happens if I ignore the lawsuit? +
If you don't respond by your deadline, the court may enter a default judgment. This service does not prepare or file an Answer, appear in court, monitor the docket, or protect the deadline. Contact the court's self-help center, legal aid, or separate court counsel immediately.
How much does it cost? +
$0 upfront. For an eligible signed engagement, the result fee is 50% of verified savings on the enrolled account, capped at $1,000. No documented reduction means no result fee. The written fee agreement controls the exact calculation and timing.
How do you get paid if I'm already being sued for money? +
A card may be saved without an upfront charge. A result fee requires a source-backed starting balance and a documented reduction. The fee is 50% of verified savings, capped at $1,000, and the signed agreement controls every charge condition.
What if I haven't been sued yet — just calls and letters? +
Pre-suit matters may fit the same limited creditor-outreach lane if the client, account, documents, and other requirements qualify. No reduction or account closure is guaranteed.
What if my debt is old? +
Limitation periods depend on the facts and applicable law. The intake may flag an issue for review, but the standard service does not prepare an Answer or litigate a defense.
Do I have to go to court? +
Your court decides whether an appearance is required. The standard StopCollectors service never includes a court appearance or litigation representation. Arrange separate court help promptly.
Is this a law firm? +
Eligible California engagements are with Lion Legal, P.C., a California law firm. The engagement is limited to the scope stated in the signed agreement and does not make Lion Legal court counsel for the matter.
Attorney advertising. California legal services on this page are provided by Lion Legal, P.C., a California law firm (principal office: Los Angeles, California). This page is not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed until a written engagement is accepted. The standard engagement is limited creditor outreach and excludes every court filing, appearance, litigation task, docket, levy, garnishment response, and deadline. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Fees are governed by the written fee agreement.