If you are a business owner who is struggling to collect on unpaid debts, it may be time to look into hiring a debt collection professional. While some companies may hire debt collection agencies, many find more success working with a debt collection law firm. Finding the right attorney can be an overwhelming process. In addition, legal help can be costly, and you want to be sure you are hiring someone you can trust. Here are 4 tips every business owner needs to know when hiring a debt collection attorney.
#1. Research Past Clients and Ask for Testimonials
Before hiring a debt collection attorney, spend time checking with their previous clients about their experience working with their firm. In most cases, an attorney can provide testimonials from previous clients along with their contact information so you can learn more about what it is like working with the attorney.
#2. Ask Business Friends for Referrals
If you have built relationships with other business owners in your area, they may be able to refer you to an attorney with a solid reputation. In most cases, past performance is the best indicator of how a law firm will handle your debt collection, and this is why word of mouth referrals are invaluable when looking for a new firm.
#3. Ensure the Attorney is Legitimate
Unfortunately, not all debt collection attorneys are legitimate and have simply learned how to appear as if they are. Always make sure your attorney complies with all state regulations and is following the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
#4. Compare Each Lawyer’s Fees with Other Agencies in the Area
Before hiring an attorney, check around with other firms in the area to see how they compare on costs. A lawyer’s fees should be competitive, not significantly above or below the average costs in the area.
#5 Call and ask to speak with the actual attorney.
The receptionist may have to take your name and number and have an attorney call you back. If however, you feel like you are being shunned away from actually being able to speak with a live attorney, you should shop elsewhere.
Hiring a Debt Collection Attorney Today
If you are a business owner and you are looking for a professional and experienced debt collection law firm, click here or call 678-566-6800 to learn more about working with Howe & Associates Debt Collection Attorneys.
Questions to Ask Debt Collection Attorneys Representing Your Company
- Is the lawyer licensed for debt collection in the state you or your customer is in? First of all, some states require licensing for debt collection. Consequently, Georgia does not. However, you need to know if your state requires it and whether or not the lawyer you’re talking to can collect in that state.
- Do you charge for an initial consultation? Secondly, you need to know if the attorney you are consulting with charges for the initial consultation. Many lawyers do, so be sure to understand what the upfront costs are even before you hire the lawyer.
- How long has your practice been in business? In addition, it helps to have an established and reputable lawyer on your side. So, knowing how long the practice has been in business will help you determine if you want to hire them or not.
- How long has your practice handled debt collection? Similarly, it’s important because law firms which have a proven track record can often streamline the collection process and get you your money faster.
- What is your success rate in collecting debts? A low success rate or debt collection attorneys unwilling to provide success rates may be a law firm you may wish to avoid.
- What size debt are you willing to collect? Another thing you need to know is what size debts the firm is willing to collect on. Not all debt collection attorneys will take small debts. So, it’s important to ask.
- What kinds of debt collection do you handle? Most importantly, you need to know that this firm can handle your unpaid debts. Consequently, not all debt collection is the same and may be regulated by certain laws.
- What avenues are open to me to pursue this debt? Furthermore, you have different avenues to pursue the debt in collections. So, it’s important to understand what actions you may take.
- How much will this cost me? Especially relevant is knowing whether the debt collection attorney takes a flat fee or a percentage. As a result, it helps determine how much you’re going to outlay.
- What fees will I have to pay if you don’t win the case? Finally, you may have to pay not only your attorneys’ fees but also court costs and additional expenses.However, some lawyers will waive their own attorney’s fees if they do not win your case.
Howe & Associates Can Help You Collect Unpaid Debts
A promissory note is an instrument that will allow for a payment or repayment of a debt. If a debt is owned it is important to get a well written promissory note. A well written note will help you in the collection process down the line, if needed.
It is one of the hardest things to defend against by a defendant.
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We recommend having the following terms within the note:
- Add all costs of collection
- Add an interest provision to include all past due interest.
- Venue & Jurisdiction provision, in the event the defendant is out of town.
No matter where you own a business in the United States, there will come a time when one of your clients or customers owe you money and stop making payments. In Atlanta and the entire State of Georgia, when you look at the laws for debt collections you will find that in the majority of cases they favor the consumer. There are creditors laws that do help businesses and companies however, these are not as widely distributed and often not known by most companies. The State of Georgia is no different. Learning the laws governing debt collection in Atlanta and in the state of Georgia is imperative to ensure that you can receive the money owed you. In order to receive the best possible answers available you need to contact an Atlanta Debt Collection Attorney.
Why you need an Atlanta Debt Collection Attorney
The laws governing collecting debt in Atlanta, can be a bit overwhelming to the common business owner. All you really want is the payment for the services or products that are owed to you by one or more of your customers. Every business has some type of plan to contact customers that are late with their payments whether 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, or 120 days. However, some businesses do not really have the time to chase after customers and constantly make demands for payment, as they have to keep providing their service or products to other customers that are paying their payments in a timely manner. When you have contacted a customer that is in arrears with their payment and they still do not send payment or stop answering your telephone calls, you should consider contacting a Georgia Debt Collection Attorney. Some of the common questions that arise from our creditor clients are:
• Can I collect attorneys fees and collection costs on top of the debt
• Can interest be added to the balance due and collected from the debtor
• What is the statute of limitations for a debt collection case in Georgia
• Can I file suit against a debtor with just an oral contract or do I need a written contract
• Should I use a collection agency or a collection lawyer to collect a debt that is owed to me
• Can I file a bank garnishment or wage garnishment
• How do I collect on my judgment against the debtor
• Can I domesticate a judgment in Georgia that I obtained in another state
An Atlanta debt collection lawyer knows the laws in the state that can provide you with the resources you need and can do all the leg work for you. Your experienced Atlanta debt collection attorney will contact the individual or company that owes you money to collect the debt. They will follow every letter of the law to ensure that you receive the money owed as well as do so legally without any mistakes. Remember, there are specific things you cannot do or say in order to collect a debt.
Your Atlanta Debt Collection Attorney
At the Georgia Debt Collection Law Firm of Howe & Associates, we understand how frustrating it can be when a customer refuses to pay for goods for services they received on credit. We provide our clients with the experience of a complete team of paralegals, investigators, and collectors, in order to provide the best results for our clients. Along with doing all the legwork, we also include detailed reporting on each step we take so you know how the progress is going toward collecting what is owed to you. Our comprehensive solution is the best in the area providing you with a team of experts that have proven success.
Our team of professionals stays up to date on all changes in debt collection laws, legislative issues, and even courtroom strategies to provide you with a winning team. We are not just your run of the mill law office that will only go so far to collect debt that is owed to our clients, but when the need arises, will go to court and fight for our clients. Court of course is the last resort but remember your customer does not wish to wind up in court, either.
At this time, we would like to offer our services to you as your Atlanta Debt Collection law firm with a free consultation. At Howe & Associates Debt Collection Law Firm in our Atlanta office, we offer a free consultation to everyone that is need of debt collection help in the state. You can contact one of your professional debt collection attorney’s today at 678-566-6800. The consultation is offered with no obligation for future services.