Resolve Debt With Meade & Associates: Your Options

Received a debt collection notice from Meade & Associates? You have options. The agency may call frequently and send threatening letters. You can fight back with the right strategy.

Meade & Associates is a legitimate collection agency. You still need to protect your rights. Ignoring them could lead to a lawsuit. Take action now to resolve the situation on your terms.

Sued by Meade & Associates? Respond Before Your Deadline

Don't let Meade & Associates win a default judgment against you. Get help filing your Answer and negotiating a settlement before your court date arrives.

Respond to Summons

What Is Meade & Associates?

Meade & Associates is a debt collection agency based in Lewis Center, Ohio. The company holds licenses in multiple states across the country. You might hear from them even if you don’t live in Ohio.

The agency collects various types of debt, including:

Student loans
Credit card debt
Medical bills from hospitals and clinics
Dental and veterinary services
Utility bills
Commercial debt
Banking institution debts

Contact Information:

Address: 737 Enterprise Drive, Lewis Center, Ohio 43035
Phone: 614-436-6160
Toll-free: 800-686-3233
Email: info@meadeandassociates.com

The Better Business Bureau gives Meade & Associates an A- rating. But hundreds of consumers have filed complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Many complaints accuse the company of violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Common issues include failing to validate debts upon request.

Request Debt Validation From Meade & Associates

Federal law protects you when dealing with debt collectors. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act gives you important rights. You can request proof that you actually owe the debt.

Meade & Associates cannot report your account to credit bureaus for 30 days. You have that window to dispute the debt. Send them a debt validation letter during this time.

Your validation letter should request:

The original creditor’s name
Proof that Meade & Associates owns the debt
The exact amount you allegedly owe
The age of the debt
Their debt collection license number for your state

Meade & Associates must respond with this information or stop contacting you. Some agencies can’t provide adequate proof. You might never hear from them again if they lack proper documentation.

If they do provide validation, you’ll need to decide your next move. Our partner Solo can help you respond effectively to their claims.

How to Respond to a Lawsuit From Meade & Associates

Ignoring Meade & Associates creates serious problems. The agency will continue reporting negative information to credit bureaus. Your credit score will suffer. Worse yet, they may file a lawsuit against you.

A debt lawsuit carries significant consequences. Without a proper defense, Meade & Associates could win a judgment. Courts can authorize wage garnishment or bank account levies. You could lose money from every paycheck.

You have several options when served with a summons:

Fight the lawsuit in court
Repay the debt in full
Settle for less before your court date

File an Answer to Avoid Default Judgment

Filing an Answer is your first line of defense. You must respond to each claim in the lawsuit. You can admit, deny, or deny due to lack of knowledge.

Include affirmative defenses in your Answer. These are legal reasons you shouldn’t be held liable. Common defenses include statute of limitations expiration or lack of proof.

Missing your Answer deadline means automatic defeat. The court will grant Meade & Associates a default judgment. You’ll have no chance to present your side.

Our partner Solo helps you create a proper Answer document. The service includes attorney review and court filing assistance.

Repay the Debt in Full

Paying the full debt stops the lawsuit immediately. Meade & Associates must drop the case once they receive payment. Nothing remains to sue you for.

Full repayment isn’t realistic for everyone. You may not have enough cash available. Debt settlement offers another path forward.

Settle Your Debt With Meade & Associates

Debt settlement lets you pay less than the full amount. You offer Meade & Associates a percentage of what you owe. The agency may accept if your offer seems reasonable.

Offering at least 60% of the debt increases your success chances. Start lower if that’s still too much. You can negotiate up from there.

Accepting your settlement means Meade & Associates drops the lawsuit. You avoid a judgment on your record. Pay before your court date arrives.

Get Your Settlement Agreement in Writing

Always request written confirmation of any settlement agreement. Verbal agreements mean nothing if disputes arise later. Keep copies of all payment receipts too.

Your settlement documentation should clearly state:

The original debt amount
Your settlement offer amount
Payment deadline and method
Agreement that payment satisfies the debt
Confirmation the lawsuit will be dismissed

Our partner Solo manages the entire settlement process for you. The platform handles offers, agreements, and secure payment transfers. Your financial information stays private.

Real Settlement Example

Tony owes $1,000 that Meade & Associates is collecting. The agency files a lawsuit against him. Tony knows he owes the money but can’t pay in full.

He offers a settlement of $600 to resolve the debt. Meade & Associates accepts his offer in writing. Tony pays the agreed amount before his court date. The agency drops the lawsuit immediately.

Tony saved $400 and avoided a judgment. His wages remain protected from garnishment. The situation resolves without court proceedings.

Know Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from abusive collection practices. Meade & Associates must follow strict rules when contacting you.

Debt collectors cannot:

Call before 8 AM or after 9 PM
Contact you at work if you request otherwise
Harass or threaten you
Use obscene language
Misrepresent the debt amount or their authority
Contact third parties about your debt

Document any FDCPA violations you experience. Save voicemails, letters, and notes about phone calls. You may have grounds to sue the collector. Violations can result in damages up to $1,000 plus attorney fees.

Take Action on Your Meade & Associates Debt Today

Communication is essential when dealing with debt collectors. Avoiding Meade & Associates only makes your situation worse. Your credit suffers and lawsuits become more likely.

Start by requesting debt validation within the first 30 days. Challenge their right to collect if they can’t provide proof. Fight back if the debt isn’t yours or the amount is wrong.

If validation confirms you owe the debt, explore your options. Full repayment stops collection efforts immediately. Settlement saves you money while resolving the obligation. Fighting in court works if you have solid defenses.

Acting quickly gives you more negotiating power. Collectors become less flexible as court dates approach. Don’t wait until the last minute to protect yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Meade & Associates and are they legitimate?

Meade & Associates is a licensed debt collection agency based in Lewis Center, Ohio that operates in multiple states. The company has an A- rating with the Better Business Bureau and collects various debts including medical bills, credit cards, student loans, and utility bills. However, hundreds of consumer complaints have been filed against them with the CFPB, many citing FDCPA violations.

How do I validate a debt from Meade & Associates?

Send Meade & Associates a debt validation letter within 30 days of their first contact. Request the original creditor's name, proof they own the debt, the exact amount owed, the debt's age compared to your state's statute of limitations, and their collection license number. They must provide this information or stop contacting you under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Can I settle my Meade & Associates debt for less than I owe?

Yes, you can negotiate a settlement with Meade & Associates for less than the full amount. Offering at least 60% of the debt gives you the best chance of acceptance, though you can start lower and negotiate. Get any settlement agreement in writing before making payment, and ensure it states the lawsuit will be dismissed once you pay.

What happens if I ignore a lawsuit from Meade & Associates?

Ignoring a lawsuit results in a default judgment against you. Meade & Associates can then use the judgment to garnish your wages or levy your bank accounts. You must file an Answer with the court before the deadline to avoid this outcome and preserve your right to defend yourself.

How do I file an Answer to a Meade & Associates lawsuit?

Your Answer must respond to each claim in the lawsuit by admitting, denying, or denying due to lack of knowledge. Include affirmative defenses such as statute of limitations expiration or lack of standing. File your Answer with the court before the deadline shown on your summons to avoid default judgment.

How to Resolve a Debt with Meade & Associates