Settlement with Stillman Lawfirm

[shadow99]

I've searched, but can't find much about settlements with them.

I've emailed them and submitted a settlement offer through their website, but no response.  It's only been a week.

Has anyone had any luck with them?  How responsive are they?  What percentage do they usually settle for?

Would I be better to send the offer certified mail?  I know I could call, but I'm a terrible negotiator over the phone.  I'm trying to avoid doing it that way.

[BackFromTheDebt]

Based on what you said, you are probably correct not to negotiate over the phone. 
 

There are exceptions.  For example, I once called a credit card company to offer a settlement and their counter offer was extremely acceptable to me. 
 

So if you call to negotiate make sure you have your range set out before the call, and get off the phone right away if you feel uncomfortable.  
 

Or you could just call to check if they received your offer  

[shadow99]

1 hour ago, BackFromTheDebt said:

Based on what you said, you are probably correct not to negotiate over the phone. 
 

There are exceptions.  For example, I once called a credit card company to offer a settlement and their counter offer was extremely acceptable to me. 
 

So if you call to negotiate make sure you have your range set out before the call, and get off the phone right away if you feel uncomfortable.  
 

Or you could just call to check if they received your offer  

Good advice - I'll probably give them more time to respond. Maybe they're understaffed like a lot of other places.

[bigmistake22]

On 11/18/2021 at 12:35 PM, shadow99 said:

I've searched, but can't find much about settlements with them.

I've emailed them and submitted a settlement offer through their website, but no response.  It's only been a week.

Has anyone had any luck with them?  How responsive are they?  What percentage do they usually settle for?

Would I be better to send the offer certified mail?  I know I could call, but I'm a terrible negotiator over the phone.  I'm trying to avoid doing it that way.

Hey @shadow99

I know I'm digging up an older post but I'd love to know what happened with your situation. I'm dealing with Stillman now. Like you, I can't find much on them. 

I want to just settle. They offered a lump sum with approx 34% off full amount. I considered arbitration but that amount is close to what I owed before interest on the credit card killed my ability to make payments. That being said, I'm afraid to settle without any thing in writing. They were goodon the phone but it's all promises. 

so...dare I ask? what happened with your situation?

[shadow99]

47 minutes ago, bigmistake22 said:

what happened with your situation?

This one is my husband's, so I threatened arbitration, but he'd rather do anything that go to court.   If I'd known about Backfromthedebt filing in advance for his wife then acting as her unpaid personal rep, I'd have done that.  So, we're making payments on this one.  It was his last one, so I'll go to arbitration on the rest of mine. 

34% off was better than what they offered us - it was on a $6200 debt, and they only wanted to come down to $5800. For that, I'll make payments, deal with the judgement, and put the lump sum amount towards a different debt where they're more willing to negotiate.

I'd make sure to get the settlement offer in writing - they can always email it to you if time is short.  The people on the phone were nice enough, but they didn't always call us back as promised, etc.  Their website is terrible, their processes don't seem all that great to me.  That doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling, but it doesn't mean they won't honor their promises - just get it in writing.

[bigmistake22]

@shadow99 I looked for an update on some of your old posts - so glad to see all the progress you have made. It's gives me hope!

I think I'm more like your husband, I am avoiding court. I didn't think I'd be able to do it and, like you, didn't know about backfromthedebt's guidance. I made a terrible mistake and didn't know I had to answer a summons. I filed an appearance but didn't know about the answer. i just assumed the court would let me know "next steps". I was pretty naïve (or maybe just scared and in denial?)

Anyway, I think we are going to go the settlement route too. We actually had a $8200 debt (plus court fees, now that we are getting sued) that they offered $6200 on. That was on Friday. I scrambled for the money b/c they wouldn't offer us a payment plan on the lesser amount, only the full amount. Today when I called I told them that I needed to know if there was anythign else they could do. They asked how much I had. I didn't want to tell them i had the full $6200 so I said $5400. They put me on hold (similar to the car dealer who needed to get his managers approval for the "special deal"...all mind games) and came back to accept it. I was shocked. When I tried to negotiate with them back in 2020 they were playing hardball. They wouldn't budge on Friday either. I'll ask for it in writing. So far, I've found out a few things, which are annoying but something I'll have to deal with since this is their policy and they won't budge. 

They will send a letter saying Settled for lesser amount. Which means it look like there's a balance on the account. They refuse to do it any other way. They don't report to credit agencies, so that is good. The letter will state the file is closed, which means they can't collect on it again. I need to confirm with the OC and read through these boards. They also gave me a phone number to contact the original collection agency and it went to the wrong place. Having to ask so many question didn't feel great at all. I'm glad I read these boards a bit before I called. At least I know what I'm getting into if I take the settlemenet! I tracked down the correct people and they were able to answer my questions.

Like you I didn't get a warm and fuzzy feeling about them. They were terrible about calling back - except now they will b/c they think I'm going to accept the offer. I'm dragging it out to get as much info from them as I can. I agree, they are nice enough but also just doing their job. I know they paid pennies on the dollar for my debt and that infuriates me. 

Thanks for the feedback and best of luck to you! I'm starting to read the arbitration boards now and they are empowering! Keep it up!

 

 

[shadow99]

I'm sure someone else will be along to give a better answer, but if it was me, I wouldn't worry about the original collector/JDB.

Stillman is their legal representative. If they provide you with a settlement letter and you pay the amount required, you should be good. Just hold onto all of it.

You should also have a dismissed court case.

Push for a "dismissal with prejudice" - that means they can't bring the suit again.

Most do "dismissal without prejudice" - that technically means they could sue again, but you'd have your paperwork as defense.

Also, if court is not your thing and you're losing sleep over it, settlement is probably the way to go.  For me, I nearly have a panic attack in court every time I go.  I'm not scared, I'm usually over-prepared, but I still get really, really, really nervous.  I just push through it.  No one's ever been anything other than polite and pleasant in court including both the judges and the opposing counsel.