Sued by Selip & Stylianou LLP? 5 Steps to Settle Your Debt

You received a call, letter, or lawsuit from Selip & Stylianou LLP. They’re trying to collect a debt from an account unpaid for at least six months. When a debt collection law firm contacts you, knowing your rights makes all the difference. Without a quick response, you risk wage garnishment or frozen bank accounts.

Here’s everything you need to know about Selip & Stylianou LLP and how to win.

Who Is Selip & Stylianou LLP?

Selip & Stylianou LLP is a major debt collection law firm in New York. Previously known as Cohen & Slamowitz, LLP, they serve creditors across New York and New Jersey. They’re a third-party collection firm hired by banks and debt buyers.

Who Does Selip & Stylianou LLP Collect For?

Selip & Stylianou collects on behalf of many financial institutions. Their regular clients include:

• Capital One
• Discover Bank
• Midland Credit Management
• Synchrony Bank
• Truist Bank
• TD Bank

These companies hire the firm to pursue unpaid credit card and loan debts.

How to Settle Debt with Selip & Stylianou LLP

Ignoring phone calls or letters won’t make your debt disappear. You need to respond promptly and communicate with Selip & Stylianou LLP. Most debt collection attorneys prefer settling without going to court. Lawsuits are typically a last resort.

Engaging in communication opens the door to settlement options. Follow these steps to negotiate effectively.

Step 1: Verify Your Debt

Before negotiating, confirm the debt is actually valid. Contact Selip & Stylianou LLP and ask them to validate it. Errors happen, especially with common names like Susan Smith or David Jones. If the debt isn’t yours or the balance is wrong, tell them immediately. Request documentation showing how they calculated the balance.

Step 2: Make a Reasonable Settlement Offer

Calculate how much you can afford to pay in a lump sum. Start with an offer lower than your actual limit. You need room to negotiate upward.

If you can’t afford a lump sum, propose a payment plan. Most collectors want plans starting within 30 days. You could make small payments for five months, then finish with a larger payment.

Working with our partner Solo helps you negotiate with collectors online effectively.

Step 3: Expect a Counteroffer

Selip & Stylianou LLP will likely reject your first offer. Expect this and stay calm. They’ll respond with a counteroffer.

Be ready to explain why you can’t pay the full amount. Have your income and expense information ready. Most collectors need financial details to settle for less than full balance. Some may request proof of expenses or your employer and bank names.

Step 4: Get the Settlement Agreement in Writing

Never rely on verbal agreements. Once you negotiate terms, get everything in writing. The settlement agreement should specify the amount, payment terms, and debt resolution. Written documentation protects you from future collection attempts on the same debt.

Step 5: Pay the Negotiated Settlement

Pay the agreed amount according to your settlement terms. Keep records of all payments. After settling, request a confirmation letter stating the debt is resolved. Monitor your credit report to ensure proper updates.

What Happens When You’re Sued for Debt?

Collection accounts can stay on your credit report for up to seven years. They hurt your credit score the entire time, even after you pay. You can’t simply ignore the lawsuit hoping it disappears.

If Selip & Stylianou LLP sues you and you don’t respond, you risk wage garnishment. The court may allow them to take money directly from your paycheck. Some states have strict wage garnishment laws that limit or prevent this action. Know your state’s rules.

Without a response, the court grants a default judgment against you. That judgment gives collectors powerful tools to recover the debt.

Respond to a Debt Collection Lawsuit from Selip & Stylianou LLP

Your response to the Summons and Complaint impacts the final ruling. Ignoring the court Summons results in a default judgment against you. The plaintiff will then ask for a wage garnishment order. Part of your wages will go toward recovering their debt.

Check the deadline to respond on your paperwork. Response deadlines vary by state, usually between 14 and 35 days. Missing your deadline means automatic loss.

After confirming the deadline, follow these three steps:

1. Respond to each complaint in separate paragraphs
2. Assert your affirmative defenses
3. File your Answer with the court and send a copy to Selip & Stylianou LLP

When you work with our partner Solo, you can draft your Answer in 15 minutes. You get help filing in all 50 states.

Respond to Each Complaint in Separate Paragraphs

The complaint contains all legal claims by the debt collector. Each claim appears in paragraph form. You must read each one and decide your response.

You have three response options:

• Admit the claim if you agree
• Deny the claim if you disagree
• Deny due to lack of knowledge if you’re unsure

Attorneys suggest denying as many claims as possible. Denying forces Selip & Stylianou LLP to prove their case with documentation. If they can’t provide proper proof, the case could be dismissed.

Assert Your Affirmative Defenses

Affirmative defenses explain why the plaintiff has no case against you. You get one chance to assert all defenses. Once you file your initial Answer, you can’t add new defenses later.

Common affirmative defenses include:

• The statute of limitations on the debt has expired
• The creditor canceled the debt agreement
• You filed for bankruptcy, dismissing the debt
• You already paid the debt
• The debt account doesn’t belong to you
• You didn’t receive a debt validation notice from the plaintiff

Collect evidence supporting your affirmative defenses. Documentation strengthens your position and improves your chances of winning.

File Your Answer with the Court

After completing your Answer with responses and defenses, file it with the court. Make two copies of your Answer document. Mail one copy to the court and another to the plaintiff’s attorney.

Use Certified Mail for both copies. You need proof of mailing and delivery. Keep your receipt and tracking information.

Our partner can file your Answer for you in all 50 states. Professional filing ensures you meet all technical requirements.

Contact Selip & Stylianou LLP

You can reach Selip & Stylianou LLP to request debt validation or discuss settlement:

Address:
P.O. Box 9004
Woodbury, NY 11797-9004

Phone number (NY office):
516-364-6006 or 866-848-8975

Phone number (NJ office):
201-368-2850 or 866-848-8975

Document all communications with dates, times, and names. Keep records of everything discussed.

Read Selip & Stylianou LLP Reviews Online

Other consumers share their experiences with Selip & Stylianou LLP online. Reading reviews helps you understand what to expect.

Check these review sources:

• Better Business Bureau Reviews of Selip & Stylianou
• Google Local Reviews of Selip & Stylianou

If you experienced aggressive or abusive collection tactics, you may be eligible for compensation. Knowing your rights helps you protect yourself.

Know Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects you from abusive tactics. Debt collectors cannot:

• Harass you in any way
• Call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Tell anyone except you, your spouse, or your lawyer about the debt
• Call you at work after you’ve said it’s not allowed
• Contact you after you’ve hired an attorney
• Contact you after you’ve sent a cease and desist letter
• Use threatening, vulgar, or abusive language
• Lie about who they are
• Threaten legal action they cannot or won’t take

If a debt collector violates the FDCPA, you can file a lawsuit or counterclaim. You may receive up to $1,000 per violation plus attorney fees.

Document all violations with dates, times, and details. Save voicemails, letters, and emails. Strong documentation supports your claim.