Frequently Asked Questions

1: How do I know I am being sued?

A: In Missouri, it is possible to access court information throughout the State by using Case.net. Just click on this linkhttps://www.courts.mo.gov/casenet/base/welcome.do, type in your name, and see if there are any pending cases. If not, you can rest at ease that no lawsuits have been filed against you.

2: Why have I received a letter from your law firm?

A: We use the same court database, Case.net, to identify debt collection firms that have filed lawsuits against Missouri consumers. Case.net lets us know (1) who filed the lawsuit, (2) who the lawsuit has been filed against, (3) the nature of the lawsuit, (4) the date the lawsuit was filed and (5) the specific court where the lawsuit was filed. If you received a letter from our firm, it is because your case appears on Case.net and the plaintiff is a debt collection firm.

3: I know I owe “something”. . . doesn’t this mean I will automatically lose?

A: ABSOLUTELY NOT! Your debt has been packaged and sold off with thousands (if not millions) of other debts just like it. Even assuming the balance was valid at the time of default, companies acquiring your debt use their own accounting systems which often misapply interest rates and other add-on fees. These companies are often incapable of producing the records necessary to prove the correct amount of the debt. The fact you might owe “something” in insufficient under the law. These companies have to prove (with proper documentation) the EXACT amount owed.

4: I thought that student loan debt could not be discharged, even in bankruptcy. Is this true?

A: While it is true that student loans are non-dischargeable in bankruptcy, that, in itself, proves nothing about the accuracy of the debt. If the debt collector cannot prove the amount you owe, it has no legal right to collect the money, period!

5: Attorneys are expensive, how much will I have to pay?

A: The amount you pay to retain us will depend on the amount you are being sued for. There is a $1,500.00 minimum fee, and we DO offer convenient payment plans.

6: Why should I choose Consumer Law Advocates?

A: Consumer Law Advocates was the first St. Louis law firm to specialize in the practice of consumer law. We have been helping consumers resolve their disputes with dishonest salespeople and businesses for nearly 15 years. We have had several cases go all the way up to the Missouri Supreme Court and, so far, we have not lost one of them. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and are members of the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA), which is headquartered in Washington, D.C. In short, if you go with the best, you will get the best.