What if getting sued for debt was actually your best opportunity to negotiate a favorable settlement? In this episode of The Debt Hotline, consumer rights attorney John Skiba reveals why lawsuit notices don't have to mean courtroom drama and how smart negotiation can save you thousands without ever stepping foot in front of a judge.

John Skiba is an experienced bankruptcy and consumer rights attorney and owner of Arizona Consumer Law Group, PLC. He has helped more than ten thousand families struggling with overwhelming debt issues and runs the popular YouTube channel Consumer Warrior, where he shares practical debt defense strategies for consumers nationwide.

Whether you're facing a lawsuit from a junk debt buyer like Midland Funding or an original creditor like American Express, this episode shows you exactly how to leverage your position for the best possible outcome while avoiding the stress and uncertainty of trial.

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In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why getting sued is often the perfect time to negotiate a debt settlement
• How to distinguish between different court proceedings (pretrial conference vs. trial vs. summary judgment)
• The key differences between fighting original creditors versus junk debt buyers
• When and how to contact attorneys to negotiate settlements before court dates
• What to do if you've already defaulted on a lawsuit and still want to settle
• Why filing an Answer is just the first step, not the final solution

John tackles real listener questions about everything from arbitration costs to summary judgment motions, providing practical guidance for consumers who thought their only option was expensive litigation or default judgment.

Key insights from John Skiba:

• Settlement is always possible: "If you're offering money, there's got to be some kind of deal that can be reached"
• Timing is everything: "The earlier you can get in front of it, the better deal you're going to get"
• Filing an Answer prevents default but doesn't end the lawsuit. It just starts the negotiation process
• Junk debt buyers often lack proper documentation, creating leverage for settlement
• Even after default judgment, settlement opportunities still exist before wage garnishment begins
• You should always go to creditors with a specific offer, not ask "what will you take?"

The conversation reveals why 95% of people who get sued by debt collectors lose by default, how summary judgment motions work, and why failing to respond to legal motions is often interpreted as consent. John also explains the crucial difference between original creditor cases (which you'll likely lose unless you have bulletproof defenses) and junk debt buyer cases (where documentation disputes create real negotiating power).

For expert debt defense strategies and over 800 educational videos, find John Skiba on YouTube at Consumer Warrior (https://www.youtube.com/@Consumer_Warrior) or visit his law website at https://skibalaw.com/

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