When faced with a judgment debt, understanding your options is crucial. In this enlightening episode, courts policy expert Lester Bird from the Pew Charitable Trust breaks down what actually happens in debt collection lawsuits across America. Drawing on years of data analysis, Lester shares eye-opening statistics about who gets sued, how much they owe, and what options work best for consumers.Sued for debt? Use Solo to resolve it: https://www.solosuit.com/?utm=podcastMost people don't realize that 60-70% of debt collection cases end in default judgments simply because defendants never respond to the lawsuit. But for those who do engage, settlement often offers the best path forward. Lester explains why avoiding garnishment—where 25% of your paycheck can suddenly disappear or your bank account gets wiped out—should be a top priority.The episode reveals surprising facts about debt collection lawsuits: half of all cases are for $2,000 or less, yet these small debts can balloon with filing fees, attorney costs, and strange penalties (like Oregon's "prevailing party fee" that charges you extra just for losing your case). Medical debt drives a third of all collection lawsuits in some states, and the same large companies dominate court dockets nationwide.You'll also discover Lester's practical debt settlement payment calculator tool that helps find the sweet spot between paying off debt quickly while keeping payments manageable. Whether you're facing a lawsuit now or want to understand how debt collection courts operate, this episode provides practical insights from someone who analyzes thousands of cases across the country.You can learn more about Lester’s research with Pew Charitable Trust here: pewtrusts.org/modernlegal Got debt questions? To submit a question to The Debt Hotline, you can:Call 801-613-8181 and leave a voicemailFill out this form: https://forms.gle/28gd4XFsq6ybN4Qu8Send an email to [email protected] https://www.solosuit.com/?utm=podcast

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