- 1
How to Draft an Answer
What to do the moment you're served, and how to file the Answer that stops the collector from winning automatically.
- Understanding the Complaint and SummonsWhat the two documents are, what each one tells you, and what to look for first.10 min
- Calculating when the Answer is dueHow to work out your exact deadline, and why counting from the wrong day is a costly mistake.8 min
- How to draft the AnswerResponding to each numbered claim, and why 'not enough information' is usually your safest answer.12 min
- Understanding and drafting affirmative defensesThe defenses that can end a case, and why leaving one out can cost you the right to use it.15 min
- Filing your Answer with the courtWhere to file, what it costs, fee waivers, and how to serve the other side.10 min
- Sample Answer templateA completed example to compare your own Answer against.3 min
- 2
Winning by Compelling Private Arbitration
Move the case out of court and into arbitration, often the fastest way to make a collector walk away.
- A message from John SkibaWhy arbitration is one of the most powerful moves available to you.4 min
- Part 1: The fundamentals of compelling arbitrationHow arbitration works, and why it changes the economics of your case.9 min
- Part 2: A deep dive into the arbitration clauseFinding the clause in your agreement and reading what it actually says.9 min
- Part 3: Drafting the motion to compel arbitrationPutting the motion together, and the timing mistake that can waive your right.8 min
- Motion template (Word)The editable motion template from the course.2 min
- Motion template (PDF)The same motion template as a PDF.2 min
- 3
Responding to a Motion for Summary Judgment
They've asked the judge to rule without a trial. This is the highest-stakes moment in the case.
- Course introductionWhat this course covers, and why this motion is the moment to take seriously.6 min
- What is a motion for summary judgment?Why this is the moment most debt cases are actually won or lost.15 min
- Proven strategies for defeating summary judgmentThe sworn statement they attach is usually the weakest part of their motion.20 min
- Drafting the responseHow to structure your opposition and ask for more time if discovery isn't finished.20 min
- Response templateThe template from the course to model your response on.3 min
- 4
Winning through Written Discovery
Make the collector show its evidence. This is where debt buyers most often fall apart.
- Course introductionWhat discovery is, and why it puts the pressure back on them.5 min
- Written discovery, part 1The three kinds of requests you can send, and what each does.8 min
- Written discovery, part 2Asking for the signed agreement and the chain of ownership.8 min
- Written discovery, part 3Deadlines, and what to do when they don't answer.8 min
- Written discovery, part 4Answering their requests to you, carefully and on time.8 min
- 5
The Initial Disclosure Statement
Some states, like Arizona, require this document. Missing it can cost you the right to use your own evidence.
- Course overviewWhat this course covers and who needs it.4 min
- What is an Initial Disclosure Statement?The document some courts, like Arizona's, require from both sides.8 min
- When is the Initial Disclosure Statement due?How the deadline is calculated in your case.7 min
- Penalties for failing to discloseWhat you can lose by leaving something out.7 min
- Drafting a Justice Court Initial Disclosure StatementWalking through the Justice Court version line by line.10 min
- Drafting a Superior Court Initial Disclosure StatementWalking through the Superior Court version line by line.10 min
- 6
Settling Your Debt
How to resolve the case on terms you can live with, and what to get in writing first.
- Taking control of your debt through settlementWhy settling from a position of strength changes the number.12 min
- The typical debt collection timeline, and why it mattersWhere you are in the process changes your leverage.10 min
- Creating a settlement budgetWorking out what you can actually afford before you offer.12 min
- Bankruptcy basics: the pros and cons of filingHow bankruptcy compares, so you can rule it in or out.12 min
- 7
Your Day in Court
Most debt cases never reach trial. If yours does, preparation is everything.
- 8
Undoing a Default Judgment
They already won because nobody responded. That is not always the end of it.
- 9
Sued by American Express
American Express sues on its own accounts, which makes these cases different.
- 10
Sued by Capital One
Capital One usually sues on its own accounts, so the paperwork problem is different.
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