Autovest LLC Is Suing Me: How to Respond and Settle Your Case

Autovest LLC sued you. You need to act now to protect yourself.

Autovest is a debt collection agency that buys defaulted auto loan debt. They purchase these accounts at a discount and then pursue borrowers for the remaining balance. Thousands of people face these lawsuits every year.

You can beat this case. Many people successfully defend themselves or negotiate favorable settlements. The key is responding quickly and understanding your options.

Our partner Solo helps you respond to debt collection lawsuits and negotiate settlements on your terms.

Never Ignore an Autovest LLC Lawsuit

Ignoring this lawsuit is the worst thing you can do. Autovest counts on people not responding. When you fail to answer, they win automatically.

A default judgment against you leads to serious consequences:

• Wage garnishment from your paycheck
• Bank account levies and freezes
• Property liens on your home
• Credit score damage for years
• Seizure of your assets

Responding changes everything. You gain leverage to negotiate or even get the case dismissed. The court requires proper documentation, and debt collectors often struggle to provide it.

Understanding Autovest LLC

Autovest LLC has operated as a debt collector since 2003. The company specializes in buying charged-off auto loan portfolios from major banks and finance companies.

Their headquarters is in Southfield, Michigan. They primarily serve Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne County residents.

Contact Information:

• Phone: 1-800-221-8160
• Address: 26261 Evergreen Rd, Suite 390, Southfield, MI 48076
• Email: info@autovestllc.com

Here’s how the process works. Your original lender repossesses your vehicle after you default. They sell the car at auction. The sale price rarely covers your full loan balance. Your lender then sells this remaining debt to Autovest at a steep discount.

Autovest now owns your debt. They pursue you for the full balance, even though they paid much less for it.

Who Autovest Collects For

Autovest focuses exclusively on auto loan debt. They work with various financial institutions to recover unpaid balances.

Common sources of Autovest debt include:

• National and regional banks
• Credit unions
• Auto finance companies
• Car dealerships with financing arms
• Other debt buyers who resell portfolios

You might not recognize Autovest’s name. That’s normal. You never borrowed from them directly. They purchased your debt from your original creditor.

Check Autovest Reviews Before Responding

Research helps you prepare for negotiations. Reading other consumers’ experiences gives you valuable insights.

Check these resources:

• Better Business Bureau complaints and reviews
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau database

Reviews are mixed. Some consumers report aggressive tactics. Others successfully negotiated reasonable payment plans. Your approach matters. Professional communication and clear documentation of your financial situation often lead to better outcomes.

How to Respond to an Autovest Lawsuit

The lawsuit response process follows a specific structure. Understanding these steps helps you protect your rights.

The Complaint Explained

The document you received is called a Complaint. Autovest filed this with the court to start the lawsuit. The Complaint lists their grievances against you in numbered paragraphs.

Each paragraph states a specific claim. Autovest alleges you owe them money from a defaulted auto loan. They claim the right to collect this debt.

Your Answer Document

You must file an Answer to the Complaint. An Answer is your official response to the court. You address each numbered paragraph from their Complaint.

For each allegation, you either admit or deny it. Here’s the critical rule: only admit what you know is absolutely true.

Deny everything else. You don’t know if Autovest properly owns your debt. You don’t know if their claimed amount is accurate. You weren’t present when they allegedly purchased your account.

Denying allegations isn’t lying. You simply force Autovest to prove their claims with evidence.

Our partner Solo makes drafting and filing your Answer simple and fast.

Deadlines Are Strict

You have limited time to file your Answer. Most states give you 14 to 30 days from the date you were served. Missing this deadline results in automatic loss.

Check your Summons for the exact deadline. Mark it on your calendar immediately. Start working on your Answer right away.

The Court Process After Your Answer

Filing your Answer moves the case forward. The court schedules a hearing date. Both sides must appear and present evidence.

Autovest bears the burden of proof. They must demonstrate:

• They legally own your debt
• The debt amount is accurate
• You actually owe this specific debt
• All documentation is proper and complete

Debt collectors often lack complete documentation. They may not have your original loan agreement. They might not possess proper assignment papers proving they own the debt. Some debt collectors don’t even show up to court.

When they can’t prove their case, you win. The judge dismisses the lawsuit.

Negotiating a Settlement With Autovest

Settlement often makes sense for both parties. You resolve the debt for less than the full amount. Autovest gets paid without further legal costs.

Follow these steps to negotiate effectively:

Step 1: Calculate Your Maximum Payment

Review your budget carefully. Determine the absolute maximum you can afford. Consider both lump sum payments and payment plans.

Your initial offer should be lower than your maximum. Start at 30-50% of the claimed debt. This gives you room to negotiate upward.

Step 2: Make Your First Offer

Put your offer in writing. Send a debt settlement letter to Autovest. Include these elements:

• Your name and account number
• The amount you’re offering
• Whether it’s a lump sum or payment plan
• Your financial hardship explanation
• A specific payment date

You can also call Autovest directly at 1-800-221-8160. Be professional and calm. Document all conversations with dates and names.

Step 3: Negotiate Back and Forth

Autovest will likely counter your offer. They want more money. You can negotiate higher, but stay within your budget.

Never agree to payments you can’t afford. Broken payment agreements make your situation worse.

Step 4: Get Everything in Writing

Verbal agreements mean nothing. Demand a written settlement agreement before paying. The agreement must include:

• The settlement amount
• Payment terms and dates
• Confirmation that payment satisfies the debt in full
• Agreement to dismiss the lawsuit
• Signatures from both parties

Don’t send money until you have this signed agreement.

Step 5: Make Your Payment

Pay exactly as agreed. Use a payment method you can document. Keep proof of payment forever.

After payment, verify the lawsuit is dismissed. Check your credit report in 30-60 days. The account should show as settled or paid.

Our partner Solo provides an online platform for negotiating settlements. Everything stays organized and documented. You communicate directly with Autovest through the platform. The system guides you through each step.

Your Rights Under Federal Law

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you. Autovest must follow specific rules when collecting debt.

Autovest cannot:

• Call you before 8 AM or after 9 PM
• Contact you at work if you tell them not to
• Harass, threaten, or abuse you
• Lie about the debt amount or their legal rights
• Threaten actions they can’t legally take
• Discuss your debt with third parties

Document any violations. These can become powerful defenses in your lawsuit. You might even have grounds to countersue for damages.

Consider Your Debt Relief Options

Sometimes fighting the lawsuit isn’t enough. You might face multiple debts beyond just Autovest. Comprehensive debt relief strategies can help.

Debt Settlement Programs

Professional debt settlement services negotiate with all your creditors. They might secure better deals than you can alone. These programs typically last 24-48 months.

Credit Counseling

Nonprofit credit counseling agencies create debt management plans. They negotiate lower interest rates with creditors. You make one monthly payment to the agency. They distribute funds to your creditors.

Bankruptcy Protection

Bankruptcy stops all collection lawsuits immediately. Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debts in 3-4 months. Chapter 13 creates a 3-5 year repayment plan. Both options provide a fresh financial start.

Bankruptcy isn’t right for everyone. The decision requires careful consideration of your complete financial picture.

Take Action on Your Autovest Lawsuit Today

Time is your enemy in debt collection lawsuits. Your deadline to respond is approaching fast. Every day you wait reduces your options.

Start with your Answer. Filing this document protects you from default judgment. It gives you time to negotiate or prepare your defense.

You don’t need an expensive attorney. Many people successfully handle these cases themselves with the right tools and guidance.

The lawsuit feels overwhelming right now. That’s normal. But you have more power than you realize. Autovest must prove their case. They must have proper documentation. They must follow court rules.

Many debt collection lawsuits get dismissed. Others settle for a fraction of the claimed amount. You can win this case.