by John Skiba, Esq. | Jun 3, 2014 | Bankruptcy, Collection Law Suits, Debt Settlement, Fair Debt Collection, FDCPA Claims
The #1 thing married couples fight about is money. In fact, in a recent study conducted by Money Magazine, 70% of married couples argue about finances – more than household chores, togetherness, sex, snoring, and what’s for dinner. And this makes sense....
by John Skiba, Esq. | May 29, 2014 | Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Here in Phoenix, Arizona we are spread out quite a bit. I live in the far east valley and drive about 40 miles into work each day. Needless to say Arizonans need a vehicle to get to work and shuttle their family around. A big concern of many people filing for...
by John Skiba, Esq. | May 28, 2014 | Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Collection Law Suits
Being sued by a debt collector like Midland Funding can be the tipping point that leads many families to file for bankruptcy. But is it the best option in your situation? Bankruptcy will stop the debt collection lawsuit with Midland but it comes at a price. In this...
by John Skiba, Esq. | May 27, 2014 | Debt Collection Lawsuits, Fair Debt Collection, FDCPA Claims, Podcasts
Financial difficulties can be all encompassing. The stress associated with not being able to pay your bills touches on everything from being able to pay for your kid’s schools lunch to wondering if your car is going to get repossessed – making it impossible for you...
by John Skiba, Esq. | May 15, 2014 | Uncategorized
Pressure. Debt collectors want you to feel the pressure. And nothing is going to put pressure on you to pay the debt collector money like them calling your job and discussing your personal financial information with others. Calls to your place of employment are not...
by John Skiba, Esq. | May 13, 2014 | Collection Law Suits, Debt Collection Lawsuits
If you are being sued by Midland Funding you have no doubt met Midland Funding’s evil twin – Midland Credit Management, Inc. Most people simply refer jointly to these companies as “Midland” and press forward trying to figure out a way to make...
by John Skiba, Esq. | May 12, 2014 | Debt Settlement, Fair Debt Collection, FDCPA Claims
I have found that many people who are going through a financial crisis just accept the punishment inflicted upon them by abusive debt collectors. It is almost as if they believe that abusive debt collection is the price to pay for being unable to pay all of their...
by John Skiba, Esq. | May 10, 2014 | Fair Debt Collection, FDCPA Claims
Day in and day out for nearly 11 years I have met with families who are going through financial difficulties. Something that may be surprising, and a little disconcerting, is that there isn’t a certain “type” of person or certain career paths that...
by John Skiba, Esq. | May 8, 2014 | Debt Collection Lawsuits, Fair Debt Collection, FDCPA Claims
Social media can unravel your FDCPA claim or deep six possible defenses in your debt collection lawsuit faster than you say Facebook. It is easy to get a false sense of privacy when we are chatting away with family and friends in social media. But social media can be...
by John Skiba, Esq. | May 1, 2014 | Collection Law Suits, Debt Collection Lawsuits
Will you win? Anyone who has been sued by Midland Funding is faced with this question when deciding what they should do. Do you fight it – push the case to trial and hope to get a judgment in your favor? Or do you try and settle and throw some money at the...
by John Skiba, Esq. | Apr 17, 2014 | Collection Law Suits, Debt Collection Lawsuits
What if you lose? When it comes to debt collection lawsuits there are no guarantees. While cases filed by junk debt buyers are often similar in the underlying facts, there are several procedural and evidentiary issues that can arise that can have a significant impact...
by John Skiba, Esq. | Apr 11, 2014 | Collection Law Suits, Debt Collection Lawsuits
A little known fact is that in Arizona very few debt collection cases make it to trial. Most debt collection lawsuits either end up with a default judgment because the person being sued didn’t file an Answer with the court, or the cases settle – meaning...
by John Skiba, Esq. | Apr 2, 2014 | Debt Collection Lawsuits, Debt Settlement
The other day a client hired me to help them in fighting debt buyer Midland Funding. I drafted the Answer – the document that is submitted in response to the Complaint filed by Midland. I was reviewing it with the client and he responded that he was somewhat...
by John Skiba, Esq. | Mar 26, 2014 | Collection Law Suits, Debt Collection Lawsuits
Recently I had a conversation with an attorney who represents Midland Funding, LLC here in Arizona. He said that about 95% of Midland Funding cases are filed in the Arizona Justice Courts. In Arizona, debt collection cases where the amount being sued on is less than...
by John Skiba, Esq. | Mar 13, 2014 | Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
All legal documents…….Perfect? Wow! This person could have gone with “documents prepared right!” or “documents prepared to high standards!” But they went with “perfect”. That is setting the bar pretty high!. Today...
