Works and Lentz Lawsuit: Your 3-Step Response Plan

A lawsuit notice from Works and Lentz just landed in your mailbox. Your stomach dropped. Now what?

First, breathe. Second, act. You typically have 20 to 30 days to respond (check your summons for the exact deadline). Miss that window and the court hands them a default judgment. That means wage garnishment, frozen bank accounts, or liens on your property.

Works and Lentz is a debt collection law firm based in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, founded in 1990. Unlike standard collection agencies that harass you over the phone, they file lawsuits. But here's the good news: most debt collection cases settle before trial. You can fight this, and you can win concessions.

What Works and Lentz Actually Does

Works and Lentz operates as both a traditional collection agency and a law firm. That dual role matters. When they send you a letter, it might be a pre-lawsuit collection attempt or formal legal action. Check the document carefully:

• Does it say "Summons" or "Complaint" at the top? That's a lawsuit.
• Does it reference a court case number? Lawsuit.
• Is it just a demand letter on letterhead? Not a lawsuit yet, but one may be coming.

They collect for credit card companies, medical providers, auto lenders, and other creditors across multiple states. Their website lists services like skip tracing, insurance follow-up, and post-judgment collections. Translation: they pursue you before, during, and after a lawsuit.

Step 1: File Your Answer Within the Deadline

Your summons lists a response deadline. In most states, you have 20 to 30 days from the date you were served. California gives you 30 days. Texas gives you 20 days plus the Monday after service. Oklahoma (where Works and Lentz is based) gives you 20 days.

Miss that deadline and you lose by default. The court enters a judgment against you without hearing your side. At that point, Works and Lentz can garnish your wages, levy your bank accounts, or place liens on your home.

Filing an Answer is simpler than it sounds. You don't need a lawyer, though one helps. Your Answer is a document that responds to each claim in the Complaint. For each numbered paragraph in their Complaint, you write:

• "Admit" if the statement is true.
• "Deny" if it's false or you don't have enough information to know.
• "Deny for lack of knowledge" when you genuinely don't know.

You can also raise affirmative defenses. Common ones include:

• Statute of limitations (the debt is too old to sue over).
• Lack of standing (Works and Lentz can't prove they own the debt).
• Failure to state a claim (their Complaint is too vague).
• Payment or settlement (you already paid or settled this debt).

If you're overwhelmed, Talk About Debt's bankruptcy screener can help you evaluate whether bankruptcy might be a better path. But filing an Answer buys you time and leverage to negotiate.

Where to File

File your Answer with the court listed on your summons. Most courts accept filings in person, by mail, or electronically. Call the clerk's office if you're unsure. You also need to send a copy to Works and Lentz. Their address is on the Complaint.

Expect a filing fee, usually $50 to $200. If you can't afford it, request a fee waiver. Courts grant them based on income.

Step 2: Demand Proof They Own the Debt

Once you file your Answer, Works and Lentz must prove their case. That means proving:

• You owe the debt.
• They (or their client) have the legal right to collect it.
• The amount they claim is accurate.

Many debt buyers can't meet that burden. They purchase old debts in bulk for pennies on the dollar, often without complete records. If Works and Lentz is suing on behalf of a debt buyer (not the original creditor), demand documentation:

• The original credit agreement you signed.
• A complete account statement showing the balance.
• Proof of the chain of ownership (assignment documents from the original creditor to the current owner).

Send a formal discovery request. This is a legal document asking for specific records. Courts have rules about discovery deadlines and formats, so research your state's civil procedure rules or consult a lawyer.

If they can't produce solid proof, you have grounds to move for dismissal. Even if they can, their evidence might reveal errors—wrong balance, expired statute of limitations, or mistaken identity.

Step 3: Negotiate a Settlement

Most debt collection lawsuits settle. Works and Lentz knows going to trial costs time and money. You know a judgment costs you more than a settlement. That creates space to negotiate.

Start by calculating what you can actually pay. Debt collectors often accept 40% to 70% of the balance, especially if the debt is old or you can pay a lump sum. If you owe $5,000, offer $2,000 to $3,000 paid within 30 days. If you can't do a lump sum, propose a payment plan.

How to Negotiate

Call Works and Lentz directly. Their phone number is on the lawsuit documents. Tell them you want to settle. Be polite but firm. Say something like:

"I can't pay the full amount, but I can pay $2,500 within 30 days if you dismiss the lawsuit and report this as settled in full to the credit bureaus."

They'll counter. Expect back-and-forth. Stick to what you can afford. Do not agree to a payment plan you can't keep. Missed payments often restart the lawsuit.

Once you agree, demand a settlement agreement in writing before you pay. That agreement should include:

• The settlement amount.
• The payment deadline.
• A promise to dismiss the lawsuit once you pay.
• Language stating the debt is "settled in full" or "paid as agreed."
• Confirmation that they'll report the debt as settled to credit bureaus.

Pay with a cashier's check or bank transfer, not a personal check. Get a receipt. After they dismiss the lawsuit, request a copy of the dismissal order from the court.

What If You Can't Afford a Settlement?

If you're facing multiple lawsuits or overwhelming debt, settlement might not be realistic. At that point, bankruptcy could give you a clean slate. Chapter 7 bankruptcy wipes out most unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans) within four months. Chapter 13 creates a three-to-five-year repayment plan based on what you can afford.

Bankruptcy stops lawsuits immediately through an automatic stay. Works and Lentz can't garnish wages or seize assets while your case is active. If your debt exceeds your income and assets, filing for bankruptcy might be the fastest way out.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

Works and Lentz must follow the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, even though they're a law firm. They can't:

• Call you before 8 a.m. Or after 9 p.m.
• Contact you at work if you tell them your employer prohibits it.
• Harass, threaten, or use abusive language.
• Misrepresent the debt amount or their authority.
• Threaten legal action they don't intend to take.

If they violate the FDCPA, you can sue them for up to $1,000 plus attorney fees. Document every interaction. Save voicemails, letters, and emails. If they cross the line, report them to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and your state attorney general.

What Happens If You Ignore the Lawsuit?

Ignoring a lawsuit doesn't make it disappear. It guarantees you lose. Here's the timeline:

• Day 1-20 (or 30): You have time to file an Answer.
• Day 21+: If you don't respond, Works and Lentz files for a default judgment.
• Day 30-60: The court grants the judgment. Now Works and Lentz can garnish your wages (up to 25% in most states), levy your bank accounts, or place liens on your property.
• Ongoing: The judgment accrues interest (often 5% to 10% annually) and stays on your credit report for seven years from the judgment date.

A judgment also makes future settlements harder. Before judgment, you have leverage. After, they have all the power.

Can You Reopen a Default Judgment?

Yes, but it's an uphill battle. You need to file a motion to vacate the judgment and prove you had a valid reason for missing the deadline,serious illness, military deployment, or never receiving proper notice. Courts rarely grant these motions unless you have strong evidence.

If the court reopens the case, you're back to step one: filing an Answer and building a defense. It's far easier to respond the first time.

The Bottom Line

A lawsuit from Works and Lentz isn't the end. File your Answer on time, demand proof, and negotiate hard. Most debt collection cases settle, often for significantly less than the original balance. If you're buried under multiple debts, bankruptcy might be the better play. Either way, don't ignore the lawsuit. That's the only guaranteed way to lose.