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If you've ever felt overwhelmed by debt or confused by a court summons, you're not alone—and you're not powerless. The Debt Hotline is your direct line to clarity, confidence, and...
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If you've ever felt overwhelmed by debt or confused by a court summons, you're not alone—and you're not powerless.
The Debt Hotline is your direct line to clarity, confidence, and control over your financial future. Hosted by legal expert George Simons and financial wellness advocate Hannah Locklear, this show breaks down the debt collection process, teaches you how to respond to lawsuits, and gives you real, actionable steps to take back control.
With insights from industry pros, real listener questions, and practical guidance, The Debt Hotline helps you navigate debt with knowledge and courage. Don’t panic—get informed. Call in, tune in, and let’s get you back on track.
show less
The Debt Hotline is your direct line to clarity, confidence, and control over your financial future. Hosted by legal expert George Simons and financial wellness advocate Hannah Locklear, this show breaks down the debt collection process, teaches you how to respond to lawsuits, and gives you real, actionable steps to take back control.
With insights from industry pros, real listener questions, and practical guidance, The Debt Hotline helps you navigate debt with knowledge and courage. Don’t panic—get informed. Call in, tune in, and let’s get you back on track.
Episodes & Posts
Episodes
Posts
7 APR 2026 · Credit cards. Tax debt. Business obligations. And no clear path forward.
In this episode of The Debt Hotline, George is joined by attorney Greg Anjewierden to walk through one caller’s overwhelming situation and the real options available when the numbers feel impossible.
Because when you’re staring at five figures of debt (or more), the question isn’t just “Can I pay this?”
It’s: Where do I even start?
Sued for debt? Use Solo to respond and resolve it:
https://www.solosuit.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=debt_hotline
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What to do when your debt feels completely unmanageable
- How to prioritize credit cards vs tax debt
- When settlement makes sense — and when it doesn’t
- How gambling and financial stress can compound debt problems
- The difference between business and consumer debt protections
- What happens if you miss a settlement payment
- Whether judges can rule while you’re still negotiating
- When bankruptcy might actually be the cleanest path forward
Real scenarios covered:
- A caller facing $81,000 in combined debt and unsure what to tackle first
- A settlement collapsing over one missed Christmas payment
- A nurse sued by Chase for $19,000
- “They never sent me a bill — can they still sue?”
- Business debt and why FDCPA protections may not apply
The bottom line
When debt snowballs, it can feel like there’s no exit. But there is always a next best move. Whether it’s structured settlement, strategic negotiation, or bankruptcy protection, the worst thing you can do is freeze. The right strategy depends on your numbers — and your goals. You may feel stuck. You’re not.
The Debt Hotline, you can:
- Call 801-613-8181 and leave a voicemail
- Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/28gd4XFsq6ybN4Qu8
- Send an email to support@solosuit.com
31 MAR 2026 · In this episode of The Debt Hotline, George sits down with former debt collection attorney Greg Anjewierden, founder of DebtBrief, to break down the single biggest mistake people make after getting sued — and what to do instead.
If you think calling the collector is your first move… think again.
Sued for debt? Use Solo to respond and resolve it:
https://www.solosuit.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=debt_hotline
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why filing your Answer should come before anything else
- What happens if you ignore discovery requests
- How motions for summary judgment can end your case fast
- Why some debt settlement companies make lawsuits worse
- What to do if you suspect identity theft
- How wage garnishments stack (and who gets paid first)
- When statute of limitations can actually save you
- Whether you should show up to court (spoiler: yes)
Real scenarios covered:
- Being sued while enrolled in a debt settlement program
- A $40,000 auto loan lawsuit that may be fraud
- Multiple wage garnishments piling up
- A case filed just beyond the statute of limitations
- A judge quietly suggesting a motion to dismiss
The bottom line
The worst thing you can do after getting sued is panic or ignore it. The second worst? Trusting someone else without confirming your Answer was actually filed.
The good news: when you engage in the process early, your leverage increases dramatically. Most creditors want resolution — not trial. But only if you show up.
To submit a question to The Debt Hotline, you can:
- Call 801-613-8181 and leave a voicemail
- Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/28gd4XFsq6ybN4Qu8
- Send an email to support@solosuit.com
24 MAR 2026 · Getting sued for debt can feel overwhelming — should you fight the lawsuit or negotiate a settlement?
Attorney Greg Anjewierden has spent years on both sides of debt litigation. In this episode of The Debt Hotline, he breaks down real strategies that work in court.
Sued for debt? Respond and resolve it with Solo: https://www.solosuit.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=debt_hotline
You’ll learn:
- When it makes sense to fight a debt lawsuit
- When it’s better to negotiate a settlement
- How to protect yourself even if you owe the debt
- What debt collectors can and can’t do
- Settlement ranges and payment plan examples
- Real caller situations you can learn from
Greg has represented both creditors and consumers, so he knows how each side approaches settlement, arbitration, discovery, and trial.
To submit a question to The Debt Hotline, you can:
- Call 801-613-8181 and leave a voicemail
- Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/28gd4XFsq6ybN4Qu8
- Send an email to support@solosuit.com
17 MAR 2026 · You filed your answer. You avoided a default judgment.
Now what?
In this episode of The Debt Hotline, Hannah is joined by bankruptcy and consumer rights attorney John Skiba (The Consumer Warrior) to walk through what actually happens after you respond to a debt lawsuit. From initial disclosures to motions for summary judgment, we break down the stages of a debt collection case — and what you should expect at each step.
If you’ve already filed your answer and are wondering whether you’re safe… this episode is for you.
Sued for debt? Respond and settle with Solo: https://www.solosuit.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=debt_hotline
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What typically happens after you file your answer
- How long it takes to get a hearing date (and why it varies by state)
- What a motion for summary judgment means — and why it’s serious
- Whether you should settle or fight the case
- How to create a realistic “settlement budget”
- The difference between negotiating with original creditors (like Discover) vs. debt buyers
- How to avoid wage garnishment
- What happens to your credit report after you settle
Real questions covered:
- “They offered to settle after I filed my answer — what should I do?”
- “Discover filed a motion for summary judgment — did I lose?”
- “What percentage should I offer to settle a $15,000 lawsuit?”
- “How do I get a settled debt removed from my credit report?”
- “How long before I actually get a court date?”
The bottom line
Filing an answer is a powerful first step, but it’s not the end of the process. Debt lawsuits move through specific stages, and staying engaged is critical. The good news? Most creditors prefer settlement over trial, and negotiating early can save you thousands in fees, interest, and court costs.
If you’ve been sued, don’t ignore it. Don’t panic either. There is almost always a path forward.
To submit a question to The Debt Hotline, you can:
- Call 801-613-8181 and leave a voicemail
- Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/28gd4XFsq6ybN4Qu8
- Send an email to support@solosuit.com
10 MAR 2026 · Debt consolidation is supposed to help… so why do some people end up owing more money and facing lawsuits anyway?
Adam Parks joins this episode of The Debt Hotline. A 20-year veteran of the debt buying and collections industry, Adam breaks down what actually happens behind the scenes when debt is sold, negotiated, or sent to court.
Adam has worked with more than 200 debt buyers, collection agencies, and law firms, and previously served as President of the Receivables Management Association International (RMAI). In this conversation, he explains why collectors sometimes sue, what makes them more willing to settle, and why ignoring debt collectors is often the fastest way to escalate a case.
Sued for debt? Use Solo to resolve it: https://www.solosuit.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=debt_hotline
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why debt consolidation can sometimes make balances grow
- What really happens when your debt is sold to a debt buyer
- The biggest mistake people make that triggers lawsuits
- Why collectors often prefer settlement over court
- What debt collectors actually look for when deciding to sue
- How to safely handle identity theft disputes with collectors
Real caller questions answered:
- “I consolidated $14k of debt and now I owe $25k and I'm being sued. What happened?”
- “Wells Fargo is suing me for $26,376 while my debt settlement company says they’re negotiating.”
- “Do judges ever dismiss these cases?”
- “A collector says I owe a debt from identity theft—what proof do they need?”
- “Should I settle before court if I can’t afford a lawyer?”
The bottom line:
Most debt lawsuits don’t happen overnight—they happen after months or years of missed communication. When consumers engage early, verify debts, and negotiate clearly, settlements are far more likely and lawsuits can often be avoided entirely.
To submit a question to The Debt Hotline:
- Call (801) 613-8181 and leave a voicemail
- Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/28gd4XFsq6ybN4Qu8
- Send an email to support@solosuit.com
23 OCT 2025 · Drowning in debt and wondering if you can actually negotiate with debt buyers? The answer is yes, but only if you communicate. In this episode of The Debt Hotline, George Simons sits down with Yale Levy, a seasoned attorney and former debt collector with nearly three decades of experience, to reveal the insider secrets of negotiating with debt buyers.
Debt buyers purchase charged-off debt portfolios from banks for around 4% of the original amount, then try to collect the full balance from consumers. If you're being contacted by a company you've never heard of, they probably bought your old debt from the original creditor. Yale shares what he learned from decades in collections and why the number one rule for consumers is simple: communicate, don't hide.
In this week's episode of The Debt Hotline, you'll learn:
- Why communication is the #1 factor in successful debt negotiations
- How to handle $150,000 in credit card debt when you're still current on payments
- What happens when your spouse passes away and leaves debt behind
- Why "pay for delete" is largely a myth that doesn't work with major collectors
- How Social Security income can protect you from debt collection
- What to do when settlement offers disappear due to missed deadlines
Yale and George tackle real listener questions, including advice for someone with $150,000 in IT income facing massive credit card debt, a widow on Social Security worried about inherited debt, and consumers frustrated by settlement offers that kept increasing due to missed deadlines.Here are some important tips if you're dealing with debt buyers:
- Debt buyers purchased your debt for pennies on the dollar, giving you leverage in negotiations
- Social Security income is generally protected from garnishment
- Settlement offers have real deadlines and missing them often means starting over at higher amounts
- "Pay for delete" violates credit reporting rules and major collectors won't honor these requests
- Payment plans typically require $100+ monthly, sometimes extending up to 5 years
- Even with limited assets, you can often negotiate settlements for pennies on the dollar
Whether you're dealing with Midland Funding, Portfolio Recovery, or any other debt buyer, this episode gives you practical strategies to communicate effectively, negotiate settlements, and avoid the biggest mistakes that cost consumers thousands. Solo can help you respond to debt lawsuits properly and SoloSettle makes debt negotiation straightforward—no awkward phone calls required.To submit a question to The Debt Hotline, you can:
- Call 801-613-8181 and leave a voicemail
- Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/28gd4XFsq6ybN4Qu8
- Send an email to support@solosuit.com
21 OCT 2025 · If collections are haunting you, your credit score is tanking, or you're struggling to qualify for loans, credit repair might be the solution you need. In this episode of The Debt Hotline, host Brandon from Team Solo sits down with Melinda, owner of Street Financial and a credit expert who transformed her own credit from poor to the high 700s. After working at three major banks and discovering that even financial institutions don't teach credit management, Melinda turned her struggles into expertise, helping thousands of people through TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube rebuild their credit profiles.
Together, Brandon and Melinda explore how to pull official credit reports, dispute inaccuracies, negotiate with collection agencies, and build positive credit history. Melinda also addresses the emotional side of credit repair, reminding listeners that poor credit doesn't define your worth; it's just a season that can change with the right plan.
Sued for debt? Use Solo to resolve it: https://www.solosuit.com/
Real callers join the conversation with honest, relatable questions:
- Tanya (North Carolina): How can she reach 680 from 590 after the divorce within a year?
- Marcus (Texas): Should he settle three charged-off cards or focus on building new credit after job loss and repossession?
- Gwen (Georgia): How can she rebuild credit after fire damage destroyed her business and led to Synchrony charge-offs?
- Jamal (Florida): What's the fastest way to raise his 610 score to qualify for a mortgage?
Melinda answers with practical, actionable advice designed to help listeners understand their rights and rebuild their financial futures.To submit your own question to The Debt Hotline:
- Call (801) 613-8181 and leave a voicemail
- Fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScy40fN07EojYHlCtMZMls4yiWrfTSawHrIceILy349golAOg/viewform
- Email: support@solosuit.com
16 OCT 2025 · If you’ve ever been contacted by a debt collector and weren’t sure what to do next, this episode of The Debt Hotline breaks it all down. Host George Simons, founder of Solo, sits down with Greg Anjewierden, founder of DebtBrief, to discuss what really happens when old debts change hands—and how to handle situations where things don't add up.
Greg draws on years of experience representing both collectors and consumers to explain how debt collectors must prove two key things: that you actually owe the debt, and that they have the legal right to collect it. He walks listeners through what “chain of custody” means, how missing documents can win your case, and why filing the right motions—like a motion to set aside judgment—can stop wage garnishments in their tracks.
Together, George and Greg tackle real listener questions, including:
- Daniel (Washington): What happens when your student loan has been sold multiple times—do you still owe it?
- Antonetti (Arkansas): How do you stop garnishments when you already have a payment plan?
- Dominique (Tennessee): Should you consider bankruptcy if you owe $35,000 across multiple debts?
- Anonymous (Ohio): Can collectors still garnish wages for a 13-year-old debt?
- Maria (Texas): Why can collectors still contact you for debts past the statute of limitations?
- Christopher (Utah): What happens if you’re sued in two courts for the same debt?
Listeners learn how to recognize when collectors overstep, how bankruptcy impacts lawsuits, and how settlement tools like SoloSettle can help consumers negotiate fair deals without going to court.
To submit your own question to The Debt Hotline:
- Call (801) 613-8181 and leave a voicemail
- Email:
- Or visit solosuit.com to learn how to respond to a debt lawsuit
14 OCT 2025 · Can Bankruptcy Stop Wage Garnishment, Foreclosure, or Lawsuits?
If debt collectors are calling, your wages are being garnished, or you're facing foreclosure, bankruptcy might be the lifeline you need. In this episode of The Debt Hotline, host Hannah Locklear sits down with Stephen Nowak, a senior associate attorney at Guardian Litigation Group with decades of experience in bankruptcy law. Stephen has helped countless consumers facing financial hardship understand their options and regain control of their financial futures. Together, Hannah and Stephen explore how bankruptcy's automatic stay works, the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, and what debts can actually be eliminated.
Listeners get an expert's perspective on how filing for bankruptcy immediately stops most collection actions, from wage garnishments to foreclosure auctions. Stephen breaks down the process from start to finish, explaining what happens the moment you file, how the automatic stay protects you, and which debts survive bankruptcy. He also addresses the emotional side of filing, helping listeners understand that bankruptcy isn't about failure; it's about using a constitutional right to get a fresh start.
Sued for debt? Use SoloSuit to resolve it:https://www.solosuit.com
Real callers join the conversation with honest, relatable questions:
- Rachel (California): Will Chapter 7 stop her $9,000 credit card wage garnishment immediately?
- Angela (New York): Can bankruptcy make her $45,000 medical debt lawsuit disappear?
- David (California): Will filing wipe out the $12,000 he still owes after car repossession?
- Carol (Texas): Does bankruptcy cover both child support and creditor garnishments?
- Allan (New York): How does bankruptcy handle seven years of back taxes?
Stephen answers them all with compassionate, practical advice designed to help listeners understand their legal rights and make informed decisions about their financial recovery.
To submit your own question to The Debt Hotline:
- Call (801) 613-8181 and leave a voicemail
- Fill out this form:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScy40fN07EojYHlCtMZMls4yiWrfTSawHrIceILy349golAOg/viewform
- Email: support@solosuit.com
9 OCT 2025 · Drowning in car payments or stuck in a loan that feels never-ending? In this episode of The Debt Hotline, host Hannah Locklear is joined by Joshua Tatum, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of CarPutty, a fintech company helping people manage and refinance their cars with transparency and control. With over two decades of experience in consumer finance, Joshua breaks down how to make smarter auto loan decisions, whether you’re buying, leasing, or refinancing, and how to treat your car like an asset, not a liability.
Together, Hannah and Joshua explore real strategies to lower monthly payments, avoid long-term debt traps, and regain financial stability through tools like CarPutty’s Flexline and V3 valuation system. They also take live calls from listeners across the country:
- Rachel (Texas): Paying $650 a month for three years and still not seeing progress.
- Daniel (Ohio): Owes $28,000 on a car worth $22,000, what now?
- Louis (Florida): Credit score in the low 600s. Can he still refinance?
- Jessica (California): Needs a second car for her business but doesn’t want more debt.
- Andrew (New York): Unsure if refinancing will save him money long-term.
Sued for debt? Use Solo to resolve it:https://www.solosuit.com
Key insights from this episode of The Debt Hotline include:
- Why most Americans end up “upside down” on their car loans.
- How refinancing can reduce payments by hundreds each month.
- Why 72-month loans cost more than you think.
- Smart ways to finance multiple cars under one account.
- How to rebuild credit and use debt strategically.
The bottom line: You don’t have to stay stuck in a bad car loan. With the right knowledge and tools, financial freedom is possible, one car payment at a time.
To submit your own question to The Debt Hotline:
- Call (801) 613-8181 and leave a voicemail
- Fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScy40fN07EojYHlCtMZMls4yiWrfTSawHrIceILy349golAOg/viewform
- Email: support@solosuit.com
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by debt or confused by a court summons, you're not alone—and you're not powerless. The Debt Hotline is your direct line to clarity, confidence, and...
show more
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by debt or confused by a court summons, you're not alone—and you're not powerless.
The Debt Hotline is your direct line to clarity, confidence, and control over your financial future. Hosted by legal expert George Simons and financial wellness advocate Hannah Locklear, this show breaks down the debt collection process, teaches you how to respond to lawsuits, and gives you real, actionable steps to take back control.
With insights from industry pros, real listener questions, and practical guidance, The Debt Hotline helps you navigate debt with knowledge and courage. Don’t panic—get informed. Call in, tune in, and let’s get you back on track.
show less
The Debt Hotline is your direct line to clarity, confidence, and control over your financial future. Hosted by legal expert George Simons and financial wellness advocate Hannah Locklear, this show breaks down the debt collection process, teaches you how to respond to lawsuits, and gives you real, actionable steps to take back control.
With insights from industry pros, real listener questions, and practical guidance, The Debt Hotline helps you navigate debt with knowledge and courage. Don’t panic—get informed. Call in, tune in, and let’s get you back on track.
Information
| Author | Hannah Locklear |
| Organization | Hannah Locklear |
| Categories | Investing , Government , How To |
| Website | - |
| hannah@solosuit.com |
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