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I'd love some help from you guys. I got a summons and complaint 7 days ago. I've literally been doing nothing but researching for the past week. Also, I applied for legal aid, but have little hope they will help. They aren't even slated to contact me until next week. I'm going to be honest with you guys. I need a hand to hold. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do and it feels like a bottomless pit. I have a couple weeks until the deadline. So here are the facts, thus far: 1. I received a summons and complaint between my screen door and main door -along with the business card of the process server- last Monday. I plan to draft a motion to dismiss for insufficiency of service of process under Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes § 12-2012(b)(5) and § 12-2004. I've drafted a motion for this, along with a very basic Memorandum and Points of Authority outlining and quoting the above laws (basically stating that service wasn't valid because it wasn't given to me face to face. I plan to also write an affidavit and add it. I know that I have to send a copy of this to the other side and add a section that certifies that I sent it. QUESTION 1: Do I need to file an Notice of Appearance or a statement that I am representing myself Pro Per/Se? DISCUSSION: It might seem a little petty, but I feel like it is my right to be processed competently, and if this is the current local practice, it needs to be nipped in the bud. Also, I could use the extra time to respond seeing as how I am not a legal expert and it takes time to learn this stuff. In fact, I thought about motioning "TO DISMISS PURSUANT TO RULE 12(B)(5) FOR INSUFFICIENCY OF PROCESS OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE, EXTENDED TIME TO ANSWER OR RESPOND TO COMPLAINT." But I don't know if that second ask will make me waive my right to other defenses that I might want to keep. 2. They sent an "Affidavit of Indebtedness" --the official complaint calls it an 'Affidavit of Account' and I would love to point out that distinction if its ever useful to me, but i figure its just a small error and oversight. Still, I have an English degree and we are only second to lawyers about pointing out this sort of error- So the Affidavit is actually pretty much blubber and hearsay. No surprise there. In fact, I pretty much found the exact text of this affidavit online. I'm guessing it's an auto-form document. So, I'd like to motion to strike it from evidence or at least take all the teeth out of it because of the hearsay. 3. The complaint states that (specific info redacted) "1. BUBBA GUMP CREDITOR provided credit to the defendant on account number BUNCH-A-NUMBERS. Defendant defaulted on the obligation. The account has been assigned to Plaintiff. 2. Defendant owes Plaintiff $3333.33. An Affidavit of Account is attached hereto and incorporated by reference." 4. The Affidavit of Indebtedness (County of Stearns, Minnesota -- where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average, no doubt) states: (SPECIFIC INFO REDACTED) “PATSY MIDLAND, whose business address is 16 McLeland Road Suite 101, St. Cloud, MN 56303, certifies and says: 1. I am employed as a Legal Specialist and have access to pertinent account record for Midland Credit Management, Inc. (“MCM”), servicer of this account on behalf of Plaintiff. I am a competent person over eighteen years of age, and make the statements herein based upon personal knowledge of those account records maintained on Plaintiff’s behalf. Plaintiff is the current owner of, and/or successor to, the obligation sued upon, and was assigned all the rights, title and interest to Defendant’s BUBBA GUMP account XXXXXXXXX0000 (MCM Number 0000000) (hereinafter “the account”). I have access to and have reviewed the electronic records pertaining to the account maintained by MCM and am authorized to make this affidavit on Plaintiff’s behalf. The electronic records reviewed consist of data acquired from the seller when Plaintiff purchased the account, together with records generated by MCM in connection with servicing the account since the date the account was purchased by Plaintiff. 2. I am familiar with and trained on the manner and method by which MCM creates and maintains its business records pertaining to this account. The records are kept in the regular course of business. It was in the regular course of business for a person with knowledge of the act or event recorded to make the record or data compilation, or for a person with knowledge to transmit information thereof to be included in such record. In the regular course of business, the record or compilation is made at or near the time of the act or event. 3. MCM’s records show that Defendant(s) owed a balance of $3333.33 as of 2017-08-21. 4. On or about 2016-11-16, MIDLAND FUNDING LLC became the successor in interest to this account. 5. Based on my review of MCM’s business records, 1) Defendant(s) opened the BUBBA GUMP CREDIT account on 2013-01-11; 2) the last payment posted to the account on 2016-03-22; and 3) the account was charged off on 2016-10-23. 6. On or about 2016-10-23, the account was sold from BUBBA GUMP CREDIT to ANOTHER CREDIT SERVICE L.L.C.. The account was then sold to the following debt buyers in order of occurrence on or about: 1. 2016-11-16, MIDLAND FUNDING LLC 7. If called to testify as a witness thereon, I could and would competently testify as to all the facts stated herein. I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct.” 5. This is the only paperwork I have received. And I see a dozen other things I can possibly do. For example, I am a member of a federally recognized tribe living within that tribe’s jurisdiction on property owned by said tribe, in a house owned and leased by said tribe. I even work for said tribe. Technically, I could claim that the court lacks jurisdiction. But, then, I would have to do more research on tribal law (which probably mirrors state and federal law). I would gain no advantage other than time, and possibly lose several advantages. Something else I have been toying with (but admit I don’t know if it applies) is filing to dismiss for failure to state a claim based on threadbare recital/mere conclusory allegations, based on Twombly & Iqbal. Still another thing I could do is motion for the production of documents. Or send a letter of Debt Verification. Not to mention other Affirmative Defenses like Failure to Consider etc etc etc. But I don’t want to be frivolous about this. So, QUESTION 2: Do I roll some or all of these things in a big motion and slap them with it? Or do I motion the insufficient service first, and strategically collate a few of the other issues I can raise? Mainly, I fear waiving my rights to certain defenses if I do things in the wrong order. I want to bring up the insufficient service. I want to strike the affidavit as hearsay. I want to force them to produce any documents they have (And I’d just love to send THEM interrogatory during discovery.) But, I must say, my head is spinning and I have no idea where to start. Someone, please pull me to earth and pave the way. I can do the work and research, but the direction is lacking. Thanks for all the help, guys.

Hi, Rookie here.... this site is amazing, I've learned so much just since last night... unfortunately, after the fact... I am being sued by an attorney representing FIA Card Services for an unpaid BOA credit card charged off as of 11/09. After two court appearances, in which I was the only one in front of the judge, the attorney filed a Motion for Summary Judgement. I started digging through old paperwork, and found three credit agency demands for payment on this account. The 3rd, was a very intimidating and explicitly demanding letter from the attorney now suing me. Her letter said "acting as a debt collector". "Demand is hereby made upon you for the payment in the amount of $4xxx.xx (PRINCIPAL). Your payment should be made by certified check, cashiers check, or money order paid to the order of: HER, at HER address." It occurred to me, that BOA had charged off the acct, and sold it to JDB pool. The attorney (the 3rd collection agency) tried to get it from me, and failing that, filed suit naming FIA as the plaintiff. She submitted an AFFIDAVIT from an FIA custodian of record. To make a long story short, I filed a Motion to Oppose Summarry Judgement, and attached an exparte motion to Strike the Affidavit, and Motion to Dismiss. I completely misunderstood the court clerk, and sent the lawyer the attached motions,(so all 3 can be heard in court at once on 6/27) a day late of the 3 day order. Court clerk said she'll probably know anyway from online court calendar, but I'm thinking it will get continued for my late mailing. The main premise of my motion to oppose and dismiss is alleging that the real plaintiff is the attorney, and that FIA is a third party to the action, but has assisted the atty. But my main question, after finding this site, is....... what can I expect in court on 6/27? The attorney has never been in court. Over This ReplyReportEdit