Law Offices of Franklin J. Love: Understanding Your Legal Options in Debt Collection Cases
If you’ve received a notice or call from the Law Offices of Franklin J. Love, you’re likely dealing with a debt collection attempt. Whether they represent a creditor or a third-party collection agency, knowing how to protect your rights and handle the situation strategically is crucial.
This guide covers how to challenge unfair debt collection attempts and steps to take if your wages are at risk of garnishment.
⚠️ Challenging Unfair Debt Collection Attempts
Debt collectors must follow strict legal guidelines when attempting to recover unpaid debts. If they violate these rules, you may have grounds to dispute the debt or even file a complaint.
🔍 1. Identify Violations of Debt Collection Laws
Debt collectors are prohibited from using harassing, deceptive, or abusive tactics. If you experience the following, the collector may have violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA):
- Threatening to sue without proper legal grounds
- Calling excessively or at odd hours
- Lying about the amount owed
- Contacting family, friends, or your workplace about your debt
- Threatening criminal charges (which they cannot do legally)
🔗 Learn more about how to fight a collection agency.
📜 2. Request Debt Validation
Before making any payments, demand proof that the debt is valid and legally belongs to you. Collectors must provide a written validation notice outlining:
- The original creditor’s name
- The exact amount owed
- Your right to dispute the debt within 30 days
If they fail to verify the debt, you may not have to pay it. Learn more about how many years a debt collector can pursue you.
📩 3. Send a Cease and Desist Letter
If a debt collector harasses you, sending a written cease and desist letter can stop their calls and letters. However, this won’t erase the debt, and they may still sue you. Find out what debt collectors can and cannot do.
💰 Protecting Yourself from Wage Garnishment
If a creditor wins a lawsuit against you, they may try to garnish your wages, meaning they take money directly from your paycheck to repay the debt. Here’s how to avoid or minimize wage garnishment.
📌 1. Understand the Wage Garnishment Process
- The court must issue a judgment before garnishing wages.
- Federal law limits garnishment to 25% of your disposable earnings or the amount exceeding 30 times the minimum wage, whichever is lower.
- Certain income sources, such as Social Security or disability benefits, are exempt from garnishment.
🔗 Learn more about what happens if a debt collector wins a lawsuit.
📄 2. File an Exemption Claim
You may qualify for wage garnishment exemptions if:
- The garnishment creates severe financial hardship
- Your income is protected (such as disability or Social Security benefits)
- The creditor did not properly notify you of the lawsuit
Filing an exemption claim can reduce or eliminate the amount deducted from your wages. Find out what to do if you miss a court summons.
🤝 3. Negotiate a Settlement
Even if a garnishment has already begun, you may still have options to settle the debt.
- Offer a lump-sum payment in exchange for dismissing the garnishment.
- Set up a voluntary payment plan with the creditor.
- Challenge any errors in the court order (such as incorrect debt amounts).
🔗 Learn more about negotiating with debt collectors.
📞 Contact Information for Law Offices of Franklin J. Love
- Address: 800 S Barranca Ave #250, Covina, CA 91723
- Phone: (626) 967-1080
- Yelp Profile
📢 Need Legal Help? Contact Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC
Debt collectors and law firms don’t always play fair, but you don’t have to face them alone. If you’re dealing with harassment, lawsuits, or wage garnishment threats, we can help you fight back.
📞 Call us at 877-700-5790 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation today.
Take action now—don’t let debt collection efforts control your financial future.