u/Imaginary_Ad678

Sorry in advance, this might be all over the place but I’ll try. A few years back I co-signed for a loan for my brother. He paid it for a while. Then died. I never got bills they went to his apartment. Long drawn out story later-2 more deaths within 6 months and dealing with that—I forgot about it. I thought it was 3000, it was 30000. SURPRISE. I found this out by being served papers. Originally owned by Goldman Sachs. Bought by Velocity Investments. Served by Gurstel.

Still well within SOL. But isn’t on my credit report. (Not sure if that’s normal, or indicative of their lack of proof they can collect?)

The whole service was messy-lady handed me papers April 29th that said I didn’t have to respond unless they filed and to call the court in 14 days to check. No case number, no stamp/signature from the clerk. Nothing attached thought it says summons and complaint/exhibit. Welp, according to the clerk it turns out they filed before i was served (i got them at 6:00PM) I got a letter yesterday from them confirming service but it also says they filed the 5th so I called to confirm.

So I have to answer.. soon. I got a suggested answer from AI chatbot which is basically saying I don’t have enough information to confirm or deny allegations on all paragraphs except the one where they have my name and current address.

Then closes with the following:

AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES

1. Lack of Standing. Plaintiff has not established that it is the lawful owner of the alleged account or that it has the right to enforce the alleged debt.
2. Failure of Proof. Plaintiff must prove the existence and terms of the alleged contract, any breach, the complete chain of assignment, and the accuracy of the amount claimed.
3. Failure to State a Claim. The Complaint does not attach the alleged contract, assignment documents, or account records sufficient to establish Plaintiff’s right to recover.
4. Reservation of Arbitration Rights. Defendant reserves the right to compel arbitration under the terms of the original loan agreement with Goldman Sachs.
5. Reservation of Additional Defenses. Defendant reserves the right to amend this Answer and assert additional defenses as additional facts and documents become available.

Is that good? Bad? Go for something else?

I did reach out to lawyers in the area, and either have not responded to my call or do not represent consumers.

Also—if I offer a lump sum of say 20% do I still file an answer? Or should I hold off on offering? This was included in their letter. But still no contract or anything, just some random letter saying it was assigned to them dated back in march that doesn’t appear in my USPS informed delivery history.

Today I was served with what I thought was a lawsuit, but apparently it’s just a notice they might.

It was filed(?) by gurstel law firm PC on behalf of velocity investments from a debt they bought. It’s only like 3 years into the SOL. It’s for 28k for a loan i took out a few months before my brother and mother died definitely had some spiraling situations and lost a significant portion of income and had to make choices.. such is life, I guess.

There’s no court date or anything. So for now I do nothing? This is in Wyoming-if that matters.

I have not received anything from them prior to this. I have a couple emails from another debt collector on behalf of velocity early last year. But nothing since. The debt itself is not on my credit report(?)

I plan on filing an answer, if/when they file. Beyond that what should I prepare for? At that amount should I get a lawyer? Or just try to wing it with this board and chatGPT?