How I Won My Credit Card Debt Lawsuit: Real Customer Story

By Talk About Debt Team
Reviewed by Ben Jackson
Last Updated: February 16, 2026
7 min read
The Bottom Line

Mason won his credit card debt lawsuit by responding quickly and proving the debt was beyond South Carolina's statute of limitations. He used Solo to file an Answer and Motion to Compel Arbitration, gathered bank statements as evidence, and presented his case to the judge. The court dismissed his case with prejudice, meaning he can never be sued for this debt again.

Answer Your Lawsuit

Summary: Mason got sued by Discover credit card through Zwicker & Associates. The debt was past South Carolina’s statute of limitations. He used our partner Solo to file an Answer and Motion to Compel Arbitration. The judge dismissed his case with prejudice. Mason never has to worry about this debt again.

Being sued for credit card debt feels isolating and overwhelming.

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You have 30 days or less to respond to your Summons. Solo walks you through every question and files your Answer with the court. Don't let collectors win by default.

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You might search online for an attorney. You discover it’s expensive and time consuming. Finding legal representation seems impossible.

Our partner Solo exists to help you represent yourself in court. You can fight back against debt collectors.

We interviewed Mason from South Carolina. He beat Zwicker & Associates and Discover in court. Here’s exactly how he did it.

The Debt Collection Lawsuit Begins

How Mason Incurred the Original Debt

Mason had a Discover credit card years ago. The account closed four and a half years before the lawsuit.

Zwicker & Associates decided to pursue the old debt. They claimed Mason owed $5,777.

Mason knew something was wrong. The amount didn’t match what he remembered owing.

He called his bank to verify payment history. The last payment was made four and a half years ago.

The debt collector had purchased the old account. They decided to sue anyway.

The Actual Amount Owed vs What They Claimed

Mason had completely forgotten about the account. He thought it was gone.

The collector claimed $5,777. Mason believed he owed around $1,500 originally.

He had made good faith efforts to pay the card down. The inflated amount made no sense.

Getting Served with a Lawsuit

The Monday Morning Sheriff Visit

A sheriff knocked on Mason’s door at 7:00 a.m. on a Monday.

He served Mason with lawsuit papers from the credit card company. Mason and his wife were confused and nervous.

The experience was intimidating. Mason wondered what he had done wrong.

When he reviewed the documents, he recognized the old account. He had no idea why this was happening now.

The 30-Day Deadline to Respond

Mason knew he had to respond. Ignoring the lawsuit would make things worse.

South Carolina gives you 30 days to file an Answer.

Mason searched Google for help. He found our partner Solo.

By the end of that same day, he had submitted his Answer. Anxiety pushed him to act fast.

Using Solo to Fight Back

Creating the Answer Document

Mason found Solo through online research. Other websites gave vague advice with no actionable steps.

Solo provided a step-by-step process. The software asked simple questions about the Summons.

It showed images of where to find information like case numbers. The process was intuitive and easy to follow.

Mason chose to have Solo file the Answer on his behalf. He felt instant relief knowing he was responding.

How Long Court Filing Takes

The court received and filed Mason’s Answer in about eleven days.

Solo sent the documents within one to two days. The court took additional time to process it.

Mason checked the court website daily, hitting refresh constantly. His proactive approach paid off.

He received tracking numbers for both the court and opposing attorney. Both parties received the Answer around the same day.

Fighting the Motion for Summary Judgment

What Zwicker & Associates Filed

Eight days after Mason filed his Answer, Zwicker & Associates responded. They filed a Motion for Summary Judgment.

They submitted the same documents from their original complaint. Mason knew these were inaccurate.

They only provided a letter stating the amount owed. No proof of payment history. No account closure date.

The documentation didn’t show when the account was last paid. The evidence was weak.

Filing a Motion to Compel Arbitration

Mason went back to Solo’s website. He found the option to file a Motion to Compel Arbitration.

He knew ignoring the Motion for Summary Judgment wouldn’t work. He needed to counter it.

Mason used Solo to generate the arbitration motion. He filed it with the court himself by mail.

The court received it in one to two days. They acknowledged it within five to six days.

Shortly after, the judge scheduled a hearing. Mason was relieved to get his day in court.

Preparing for Court

Gathering Supporting Documentation

Mason did his homework before the hearing. He contacted his bank for payment records.

The bank provided statements proving when the last payment was made. This showed the debt was beyond the statute of limitations.

A family friend recommended getting a copy of the bank’s arbitration clause. Mason obtained that too.

He organized everything in a folder. He was nervous but confident in his documentation.

What to Expect at the Hearing

Mason had never been to civil court before. The experience was nerve wracking.

He showed up with his folder of documents. He checked in and prepared to see the judge.

Fortunately, Zwicker & Associates didn’t show up. They failed to appear at the hearing.

The judge asked what brought them to court. Mason explained the debt was beyond South Carolina’s statute of limitations.

Winning the Debt Lawsuit

Presenting Evidence to the Judge

The judge reviewed the evidence quickly. She saw Zwicker & Associates had submitted the same weak documentation twice.

They tried to push the judge to rule in their favor. They showed no proof of their claims.

Mason presented his documentation clearly. He explained why the collector’s claims were incorrect.

The judge immediately understood Mason’s position. His organized approach made the difference.

Dismissal with Prejudice

The judge ruled in Mason’s favor. She dismissed the case with prejudice.

Dismissal with prejudice means permanent. Mason can never be sued for this debt again.

The debt is completely gone. The relief Mason felt was indescribable.

He walked out of court with a clean slate. His name was cleared forever.

Mason’s Advice for Others

Have Your Documentation Ready

Mason strongly recommends organizing your documents. Have everything in order before court.

Gather bank statements, payment records, and any relevant correspondence. Proof matters in court.

Research your state’s statute of limitations. Know your rights before you respond.

Act Quickly and Stay Informed

Don’t wait to respond to a lawsuit. Mason acted the same day he was served.

Use available resources to understand your options. Solo’s blog provides answers to common questions.

The website offers guidance on responding to specific collection companies. Knowledge reduces anxiety.

You’re Not Alone in This Process

Being sued for debt feels isolating. Mason felt that way initially.

Finding help made all the difference. The step-by-step process reduced his anxiety from 100 to ten.

Having clear guidance throughout the process provided relief. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Key Takeaways from Mason’s Victory

Mason won his case by being proactive and prepared. He responded immediately to the lawsuit.

He used our partner Solo to create and file his Answer document. He followed up with a Motion to Compel Arbitration.

He gathered evidence proving the debt was beyond the statute of limitations. His organized documentation convinced the judge.

Zwicker & Associates failed to appear at the hearing. The judge dismissed the case with prejudice.

Mason’s debt is permanently gone. He can never be sued for this account again.

You can achieve similar results. Act quickly, gather evidence, and use available resources to fight back.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the statute of limitations for credit card debt in South Carolina?

South Carolina has a three-year statute of limitations for credit card debt. Collectors cannot successfully sue you for debts older than three years from your last payment. You must raise this defense in your Answer to the lawsuit.

How do I respond to a debt lawsuit from Zwicker & Associates?

You must file an Answer with the court within 30 days in South Carolina. List your defenses, including statute of limitations if applicable. Deny claims you don't recognize and request proof of the debt. File your Answer with the court and serve a copy to the opposing attorney.

What happens if I file a Motion to Compel Arbitration?

A Motion to Compel Arbitration forces the case into arbitration instead of court if your original credit card agreement included an arbitration clause. The judge will schedule a hearing to decide whether to grant your motion. Many debt collectors drop cases rather than pursue arbitration.

Can debt collectors sue me for debts past the statute of limitations?

Collectors can file lawsuits for old debts, but you can defend yourself by proving the statute of limitations has expired. You must raise this defense in your Answer. If you prove the debt is time-barred, the judge should dismiss the case.

What does dismissal with prejudice mean in a debt lawsuit?

Dismissal with prejudice means the case is permanently closed and cannot be refiled. The collector can never sue you for this same debt again. Dismissal without prejudice means the collector could potentially refile the lawsuit later.