...You get sued
Don’t ignore a summons. In New York State, your time to answer a summons runs from 10 to 30 days, depending on the court or method of service.
Make a copy and call us or the lawyer or your choice.
...You receive an arbitration claim
Many lenders have added arbitration clauses in their credit card agreements. Arbitration essentially
takes the matter out of the court and into the hands of a private adjudicator, such as the American
Arbitration Association, JAMS, or the National Arbitration Forum (NAF). The claims will come from a lawyer
or the creditor and look like a summons or complaint. If you get a Notice of Arbitration, please call
us or the lawyer of your choice. Quickly! These for-profit arbitration outfits have, in our opinion,
quirky procedural rules that a consumer can easily trip over. Our experience says you must act quickly
to preserve your rights in an arbitration, or to stop the arbitration process if need be.
...You discover a judgment has been entered against you
If you find your bank account has been restrained, chances are there is already a judgment entered against you.
There are provisions in New York State law to vacate a judgment. We’d welcome the chance to discuss it with you.
Anthony J. Pietrafesa
Attorney at Law
1971 Western Avenue #181
Albany NY 12203
518.218.0851
Fax: 518.514.1241
Admitted in New York
Member National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA)