Settle Debt With Sessoms and Rogers: What You Need to Know

Sessoms and Rogers sent you a lawsuit. Your first move is simple: respond before the deadline. Miss it, and the court hands them a default judgment. That means wage garnishment, bank levies, and years of cleanup. Respond, and you control what happens next.

This firm operates differently than typical collection agencies. They're a civil litigation law firm based in Durham, North Carolina, founded in 1984. They don't just threaten lawsuits. They file them. Their clients include major creditors like Bank of America, Synchrony Bank, and LVNV Funding. If they've sued you, someone paid them to get a judgment.

But a lawsuit doesn't mean you're out of options. You can challenge the debt, force them to prove their case, or negotiate a settlement for less than you owe. Here's how to handle Sessoms and Rogers when they come after you.

Who Sessoms and Rogers Represents

Sessoms and Rogers doesn't buy debt. They represent original creditors and debt buyers who want judgments against consumers. Their client list includes:

• Ally Financial (auto loans)
• Bank of America (credit cards)
• Synchrony Bank (store cards)
• FIA Card Services (Bank of America subsidiary)
• LVNV Funding (debt buyer)
• Unifund (debt buyer)
• Absolute Resolutions Investments (debt buyer)
• Barclays Bank (credit cards)

If you defaulted on a credit card, car loan, or personal loan with one of these companies, Sessoms and Rogers might be the firm suing you. They handle cases across North Carolina, primarily in Durham, Wake, and Orange counties.

Your First Step: File a Written Response

The summons tells you how many days you have to respond. In North Carolina, it's typically 30 days. That deadline is absolute. If you ignore it, the court enters a default judgment against you. Sessoms and Rogers then has the legal right to garnish your wages, freeze your bank account, or put a lien on your property.

Your response is called an Answer. It's a document you file with the court that says you're contesting the lawsuit. You don't need a lawyer to file one, though having legal help never hurts. The Answer does two things:

• It stops the default judgment clock
• It forces Sessoms and Rogers to prove every element of their case

In your Answer, you'll deny or admit each claim in the complaint. If you're not sure whether you owe the debt, or if the amount is wrong, deny it. Put the burden of proof on them.

You'll also raise affirmative defenses. These are legal reasons the court should dismiss the case or rule in your favor. Common defenses include:

• Statute of limitations: In North Carolina, creditors have three years to sue on credit card debt. If the account is older, the case should be dismissed.
• Lack of standing: Sessoms and Rogers must prove their client owns the debt. Debt buyers often lack proper documentation.
• Failure to state a claim: The complaint must include specific details. Vague allegations aren't enough.
• Payment or settlement: If you already paid or settled, the lawsuit is invalid.

Once you file your Answer, Sessoms and Rogers has to decide whether to continue the case or settle. Many lawsuits settle after a response is filed because proving a case in court is expensive.

Need help drafting your Answer? Start here to explore your options and get connected with resources that can help.

Demand Debt Verification

Before you negotiate, confirm they can prove the debt. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) requires debt collectors to verify debts upon request. Sessoms and Rogers, as a law firm collecting debt, falls under FDCPA rules.

Send a debt verification letter within 30 days of receiving their initial notice. Ask for:

• The original creditor's name
• The account number
• The amount owed
• Proof they have the legal right to collect
• A copy of the original signed agreement (if possible)

Send the letter via certified mail with a return receipt. Keep a copy for your records. Once they receive your request, they must stop collection activity until they provide verification. If they can't verify the debt, they can't legally continue the lawsuit.

This step is especially powerful if your debt was sold to a buyer like LVNV or Unifund. These companies often lack complete documentation. Without a proper chain of ownership, they can't prove they own the debt.

How to Negotiate a Settlement With Sessoms and Rogers

Once you've filed your Answer and requested verification, you're in a stronger position to settle. Sessoms and Rogers knows going to trial costs money. If you're willing to pay something, they'll often accept less than the full balance.

Start by determining what you can afford. Be realistic. If you offer $500 on a $5,000 debt, they'll laugh. But if you offer $2,000 as a lump sum, they might take it. Creditors and debt buyers typically accept 30% to 60% of the balance in settlement.

Step 1: Contact Sessoms and Rogers

Call their consumer inquiries line at 800-580-6953 or email consumerinquiries@sessomslaw.com. Say you want to discuss a settlement. Do not admit the debt is valid. Do not agree to a payment plan unless it's in writing.

Ask for the settlement amount in writing. Get a letter that states:

• The total amount owed
• The settlement amount
• That the settlement resolves the debt in full
• That they'll dismiss the lawsuit once you pay

Step 2: Negotiate the Terms

If their first offer is too high, counter with a lower amount. They expect negotiation. Be firm but reasonable. If you can pay a lump sum, that's your leverage. Creditors prefer cash now over years of litigation.

If you can't pay a lump sum, ask about a payment plan. Some firms will agree to monthly payments if you make a down payment first. Get the terms in writing. Specify the payment schedule, the total amount, and what happens if you miss a payment.

Step 3: Get It in Writing

Never pay without a written agreement. The settlement letter should include:

• Your name and account number
• The settlement amount
• The payment deadline
• A statement that payment satisfies the debt in full
• Confirmation they'll dismiss the lawsuit

Pay by certified check or money order, never by giving them access to your bank account. Keep proof of payment. Once they receive it, they should file a dismissal with the court. Follow up to confirm the case is closed.

What If You Can't Afford a Settlement?

If you're drowning in debt and a settlement isn't realistic, bankruptcy might be your best option. Chapter 7 wipes out unsecured debts like credit cards and medical bills. Chapter 13 reorganizes your debts into a three-to-five-year payment plan.

Filing bankruptcy stops the Sessoms and Rogers lawsuit immediately through an automatic stay. They can't garnish your wages or levy your bank account while your case is pending. Once your bankruptcy is discharged, the debt is gone.

Bankruptcy isn't right for everyone, but it's a tool that exists for situations like this. If your debt-to-income ratio makes settlement impossible, it's worth exploring. Learn more about filing bankruptcy here and see if it makes sense for your situation.

Know Your Rights Under the FDCPA

Sessoms and Rogers must follow federal debt collection laws. The FDCPA prohibits:

• Calling before 8 a.m. Or after 9 p.m.
• Harassing or threatening you
• Calling your workplace after you ask them to stop
• Lying about the amount you owe
• Threatening actions they can't legally take

If Sessoms and Rogers violates the FDCPA, you can sue them. Violations can result in damages of up to $1,000 plus attorney fees. Document every interaction. Keep records of calls, letters, and emails.

If they cross the line, contact a consumer rights attorney. Many work on contingency, meaning you don't pay unless you win.

What Happens If They Get a Judgment

If you don't respond and Sessoms and Rogers gets a default judgment, they can collect through:

• Wage garnishment: In North Carolina, creditors can take up to 25% of your disposable earnings.
• Bank levies: They can freeze your bank account and take the balance up to the judgment amount.
• Property liens: They can place a lien on real estate you own, which must be paid when you sell.

Judgments in North Carolina are valid for 10 years and can be renewed. Interest accrues at 8% per year. A $5,000 debt can balloon to $9,000 over a decade.

Even after a judgment, you can still negotiate. Creditors often accept settlements on judgments because collection is expensive and uncertain. Contact Sessoms and Rogers and offer a lump sum. They might take 50% to 70% if you pay immediately.

Contact Information for Sessoms and Rogers

If you need to reach Sessoms and Rogers to discuss your case or negotiate a settlement, here's their contact information:

Phone: 800-580-6953
Address: 1822 NC-54 #200, Durham, NC 27713
Email: consumerinquiries@sessomslaw.com

Before you call, know what you want. Have your account number, the lawsuit details, and your settlement offer ready. Stay calm and professional. Emotional calls don't work in your favor.

Check Online Reviews and Complaints

Sessoms and Rogers has mixed reviews online. Some consumers report reasonable settlement negotiations. Others complain about aggressive tactics. You can find reviews on Google, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint database.

Reviews give you a sense of what to expect, but they're not a substitute for action. Every case is different. Focus on your rights and your options, not what happened to someone else.

The Bottom Line

Sessoms and Rogers is a litigation firm that sues on behalf of creditors and debt buyers. If they've filed a lawsuit against you, respond before the deadline and force them to prove their case. From there, you can negotiate a settlement, challenge the debt, or explore bankruptcy if the debt is unmanageable. You have rights. Use them.