A Guide To Settling A Debt In Indiana

Indiana, you can negotiate a debt settlement offer at any stage of your debt lawsuit. You should first file an answer to the case and then send a settlement offer. A debt collection law in Indiana allows you to negotiate with creditors for a lower amount than what you originally owed. You should obtain a written agreement once an agreement has been reached.

Having an outstanding debt can cause sleepless nights if you are constantly contacted by the debt collector, demanding payment. It is common for them to call at odd hours during the day or night and to leave countless emails or voicemails.

You may be sued for the debt, fees, interest, and legal costs if you ignore their attempts to collect. The Indiana debt collection laws allow debt collectors to take you to court before the statute of limitations on the debt expires.

A settlement is often the best option to avoid all this trouble, and you will eventually be able to improve your credit score. The purpose of this article is to guide you through the steps involved in settling a debt. In addition, we will provide you with essential information regarding debt settlement in Indiana.

How to settle a debt in Indiana in three steps

In addition to credit card debt, private student loans, personal loans, and medical bills, consumers can seek debt settlement. The debt settlement offer can be made at any stage of the collection process. How to settle a debt after a lawsuit has been filed is described in the following steps.

1. Answer the debt lawsuit

You must respond to the lawsuit, even if you have decided to settle the delinquent debt. The settlement offer you want to make will be worthless if you don’t do this. If you make a settlement offer before filing an Answer, the court may grant the creditor a default judgment since it will assume that you ignored the lawsuit.

You must respond to the lawsuit before the deadline for filing an Answer in Indiana, which is 20 days.

Make sure you pay attention to all sections and answer all questions to the best of your ability. For example, the Complaint document requires you to admit, deny, or deny each allegation made by the creditor against you for lack of knowledge. The next step is to list any affirmative defenses that may be of assistance to you.

2. Start negotiations by making an offer

After successfully filing your Answer, consider how much you would like to offer your creditor. Establishing a standard figure for how much to provide a debt collector is impossible. As a result, it is determined by your financial situation, the amount of debt you owe, and the creditor’s position.

Generally, creditors rarely offer less than 45%, and their offers usually range between 60% and 80% of the original debt. Debt counselors recommend you begin your offer at 30% to 40% to give yourself some negotiating room. Before making an offer, determine the maximum amount you can afford to pay and offer a little less than that amount.

Here is an example of what your offer might look like:

“I see you’re suing me for [$500] for [case number]. I don’t have that kind of money and I don’t agree with the amount. But I do have [$250] that I can pay within 30 days to settle the debt in full. Let me know if you accept.”

3. Obtain a written settlement agreement

Once the negotiations have been successful, and the creditor has accepted your offer, you should only make payments once the creditor has confirmed the acceptance in writing. After debt collectors promised to write off a consumer’s debt after negotiations, they sued or harassed them for the remaining balance.

They are more likely to keep their word and ultimately settle the debt by having it in writing. Learn what information should be included in a sample debt settlement agreement. Most debt collectors and creditors will draft the settlement agreement for you, so review it carefully before signing it.

To better understand the steps above, let’s look at an illustration.

A debt of $3,000 was owed to Alison by Credit Solutions. The debt was hers, but she did not wish to go to court. Next, she drafted a Debt Settlement Letter offering to pay $1,500 in one lump sum. Credit Solutions responded and agreed to accept $2,300. As a result of renegotiating, they decided to get $2,000. After receiving the agreement in writing, Alison cleared the debt.

Debt collection laws in Indiana

The Indiana government permits creditors and debt collection agencies to contact consumers directly regarding long-standing debts. However, debt management companies are required to comply with Indiana Code, Title 28, 1-29.

It is important to note that the Indiana Code asks consumers to consider and acknowledge that debt settlement and management plans are not suitable for everyone and may pose some risks, including:

• You may receive compensation from creditors if you hire a debt management company.
•  Pay your debts under a debt management plan to maintain your credit.
•  Creditors may increase finance charges and other fees.
•  A creditor may decide to file a lawsuit to collect the debt.
•  Even though you did not receive any money from debt reduction, it can result in taxable income, increasing your tax liability.

In most cases, creditors prefer a fair settlement at the expense of a lawsuit. Still, it is their right to refuse negotiations unless an arbitration clause is included in the original agreement.

Which debt settlement company is best in Indiana?

The best debt settlement company can help you manage your current debts without causing further financial hardship. Further, they should only expect you to pay upfront fees if they show you the progress they have made in settling your debt.

The following are other good debt settlement companies that you may wish to consider:

• NewEra Debt Solutions: The company does not charge initial or hidden service fees. They take their cut only after the settlement deal has been completed.
• Century: Century’s team of specialists will examine your debt situation and develop a customized plan based on your financial situation.
• IndiananDebtRelief.org: This firm provides a free analysis and savings estimate and then works with you to determine the most viable option for consolidating your debt.

There is a long list of debt relief companies and individuals that the Fair Trade Commission has blocked. Check out the page before choosing a debt settlement company. You should also check the company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to determine its accreditation and third-party reviews.

Contact the debt collector using the best method

It is always challenging to communicate with debt collectors because they want to control the narrative. Whatever method you use, be aware of this fact and always think carefully before answering their questions or requests. When negotiating a settlement offer with debt collectors, the following three methods are usually used:

• Phone: It is not advisable to discuss a settlement deal over the phone since you can only prove that you reached an agreement if you record the conversation. Due to Indiana Code 35-31.5-2-176, you can record the conversation with the debt collector without their knowledge.
• Mail: The advantage of communicating via mail is that every interaction is documented, but the negotiation process may take longer than you expected. However, it allows you to carefully read the creditor’s letter and prepare your following response. Ensure that the collection agency receives the mail by using certified mail.
• Email: Communicating via email is convenient because it is instantaneous, and you can receive a response within minutes of sending it. The debt collector cannot revoke a written promise, and you will have proof of the settlement discussion.

As you communicate, ask for clarification if anything is unclear because debt collectors are often interested in manipulating or confusing you to make the settlement agreement faint.

Indiana debt relief options

In addition to debt settlement, other options may be available to you to help you escape debt. Choose the best debt relief plan for your situation by consulting debt relief companies and credit counseling agencies.

There are a variety of functions performed by these institutions. Others provide necessities such as food, healthcare, and education, while others assist you with debt management. Saving money through these services can help you pay off debt or get back on your feet. 

Questions and Answers

Is it possible to settle debt in Indiana?

Yes, debt settlement programs can assist you in becoming financially free if you adhere to the recommendations of your debt counselor. Further, genuine Indiana debt settlement programs help eliminate the pressing debt that could result in further financial difficulties if you are sued, and the creditor wins the case. Despite this, debt settlement programs can affect your credit score for an extended period and require a substantial financial commitment. Furthermore, you should be aware of scams that may appear legitimate debt settlement opportunities.

What is the process of negotiating a debt settlement?

Negotiations for debt settlement begin when you or the creditor contact each other. It is a good idea to make an initial offer lower than the maximum amount you can pay to settle a debt. If you offer less than you could pay, you will have some room for negotiation. The creditor or collector can counter the offer, and you can differ until you reach an agreed-upon amount.

What effect does debt settlement have on my credit score?

Depending on your credit profile, debt settlement may adversely affect your credit score. Deb settlement will significantly lower your score if you have a good credit score. However, the point reduction may be less pronounced if you already had a low score with many negative entries.

Even so, settling debt will not adversely affect your credit score as much as paying nothing. As a result, debt settlement is an excellent option for many consumers; it lets you pay off your debt for less and move on with your life.