Over 20 Combined Years Of Experience

Plantation, Florida Credit Card Debt & Debt Collection Defense Lawyers

Last updated on November 20, 2025

At Light & Gonzalez, PLLC our South Florida Credit Card Debt Lawyers defend debtors against litigation brought by creditors and debt collectors on credit card debt. We are available for consultation in Plantation, Florida to discuss your credit card debt matter, and we handle cases throughout South Florida. Whether you live in Broward County, Miami-Dade County or Palm Beach County our lawyers will work with you to try to get you the best possible results. Depending on your legal needs, we will try to negotiate down your credit card debt, or we will defend you in litigation. Sometimes there are legal defenses against credit card actions that consumers aren’t even aware of.

Don’t be surprised if an lawyer answers the phone when you call! We are available for consultation and handle cases throughout South Florida. Contact us today at 754-778-9911 to speak with an experienced attorney who will review your case and discuss your legal options.

Contact us today to request a free initial consultation

Debt Collection Is More Concentrated In The Southeastern United States

Statistical studies on the regional distribution of debt collection activities have shown that the southeastern region of the United States has some of the highest concentration of debts that have been sent to collection and, consequently, the highest levels of debt collection activity. A working paper by the Urban Institute demonstrates a correlation between debts in collection with regions hit particularly hard by the foreclosure crisis and higher percentages of uninsured. Florida is no exception; because Florida was hit hard by the foreclosure crisis and because there are a great number of uninsured individuals living in South Florida, it comes as no surprise that there are a lot of people facing debt collection, and just as many at risk of being the target of illegal, harassing debt collection efforts.

Map from Urban Institute Working Paper

The CFPB Shows Debt Collection Will Not Be Stopping Anytime Soon

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau releases annual reports on complaints it receives from consumers on debt collection behavior. Unfortunately, even though the economy has been recovering steadily since the Great Recession, debt collection efforts are showing no signs of stopping.

Even more disturbing is that the most common complaint filed with the CFPB is that debt collectors are attempting to collect debt that is not actually owed.

The most common debt collection complaint is about continued attempts to collect a debt that the consumer reports is not owed. The vast majority of these consumers report that the debt is not their debt (61%) or that the debt was paid (27%), while the remaining consumers report that the debt resulted from identity theft (8%) or was discharged in bankruptcy (4%).

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 2017 Debt Collection Annual-Report at page 17.

CFPB Complaint Statistics

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reports show that debt collection efforts are not slowing down. In fact, a 2017 report revealed that the most common complaints filed with the CFPB involved collectors:

Continuing to collect on a debt that was not owed (17,500 complaints in 2016)
Using improper contact or sharing information (36,200 complaints in 2016)
Making false statements or representations (5,400 complaints in 2016)
Using abusive communication tactics (7,800 complaints in 2016)
Taking or threatening an illegal action (13,500 complaints in 2016)

These numbers highlight the ongoing need for professional legal defense against unlawful debt collection practices.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 2017 Debt Collection Annual-Report

Protecting Yourself From Abusive Debt Collection Practices

Debt collectors are notorious for attempting to collect debts they have no legal ability to collect. Just because a debt collector says you owe money does not mean they have the right to file a lawsuit against you to collect on it. At Light & Gonzalez, PLLC, our lawyers are ready to represent consumers to defend against debt collectors and to investigate their abusive practices to see if there might be claims you have as a consumer to recover compensation for their unlawful harassment and abuse. Both federal statutes and Florida statutes provide remedies for debtors who have been the victim of unfair debt collection practices. Contact the Plantation, Florida, debt collection lawyers at Light & Gonzalez, PLLC, to request a free consultation.

How Can We Help You?

Do You Want Your Creditors To Stop Calling You?

Our firm will help you through your hard financial times. Light & Gonzalez, PLLC is a full litigation firm that looks at every case with through the lens of litigation. There are many ways to get a creditor or a debt collector to stop calling you. One way is to have of our qualified Plantation, Florida Credit Card Debt Lawyers speak with the creditor or debt collector to help you try to negotiate down the credit card debt to something you can afford. If this doesn’t work there are valid legal defenses available that may help you in defending a credit card debt action. Contact us today and we will thoroughly explain the entire litigation process from beginning to end.

Do You Want To Be Rid Of Your Credit Card Debt?

Credit card debt is generally unsecured, and therefore dischargeable through bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is not a great option for everyone, but because creditors know that bankruptcy can operate to discharge the debt completely, creditors and debt collectors will sometimes negotiate a credit card debt down to something that a consumer can afford to pay. Our credit card debt lawyers can help you find the best options to get rid of your debt. Options for payment may include a payment plan or a reduction in the principle amount owed. Contact Light & Gonzalez, PLLC to see what your options are.

Can I File For Bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is an option for some people to discharge their debts and start anew, but it is also possible that you may not qualify or that bankruptcy is not the best solution for you. It is important to consult with an attorney to know what legal remedies are available to you and to advise you on what might be your best path. At Light & Gonzalez, PLLC, our bankruptcy attorneys will shine a light on your legal path. We will thoughtfully go over all your options to handle your credit card debts.

Reduce Your Debt And Defend Against Collectors

Are creditors harassing you for payment? At Light & Gonzalez, PLLC our Plantation Florida Credit Card Lawyers understand that people can become victims of unfortunate circumstances and hardship, and we take pride in guiding clients through their tormenting circumstances and providing a legal path for their civil defense. Depending on your circumstance we may even help negotiate with your creditors to reduce the amount they are demanding in their civil matter. Our South Florida credit card debt defense attorneys assists individuals (consumers) against lawsuits brought by debt collectors (which is usually a credit card company) who may be harassing you for payment. In some instances, these debt collectors may have already filed a lawsuit against you. Our lawyers may be able to assist you if any of the following has occurred:

You have been receiving letters from a debt collector(s) demanding payment;
You have received a summons from the court stating that a lawsuit has been filed against you;
There has been a default and/or default final judgment entered against you;
You have missed court dates regarding your consumer debt lawsuit;
Your wages have been (or are currently being) garnished as a result of a court judgment entered against you

Potential Defenses Against Credit Card Debt Collectors

It is important to know your legal rights if a debt collector is seeking to collect money from you on an alleged debt. A Plantation Florida Credit Card Lawyer may be able to help you bring several defenses to the collection and/or enforcement in their matter. Some of the common defenses that may be raised in credit card debt defense matters are:

Standing;
Statute of limitations (varies from state-to- state);
Failure to Attach essential documents to their lawsuit which was filed against you;
Creditor filed a 1099-C form with the Internal Revenue Service which stated that your obligation was discharged & they are still seeking to collect a debt against you;
Judgement obtained against you was VOID

In order for you to know what defenses may apply in your circumstance, you should meet with an experienced credit card debt litigation attorney who is familiar with these defenses and how they may be able to apply in your matter.

Can You Face Legal Action While Taking Part In A Debt Resolution Program?

Yes. Many consumers mistakenly believe that joining such programs provides automatic protection from creditor lawsuits. The reality is that debt resolution companies typically instruct you to stop paying creditors while they attempt to negotiate settlements. During this nonpayment period, your accounts become delinquent, triggering collection activities.

Creditors are not legally obligated to work with debt resolution companies and can choose to pursue legal action instead of accepting settlement offers. When this happens, you might receive a summons while still paying for the debt resolution program.

Suppose you are served with legal papers while in a debt resolution program; contact a credit card debt attorney immediately. Our lawyers can defend against the lawsuit while simultaneously addressing the issues with your debt resolution program. In many cases, we can negotiate more favorable terms directly with creditors than what the program achieved.

How Will A Default Affect My Credit Score?

When a creditor obtains a default judgment against you, it becomes a public record on your credit report, which can remain there for up to seven years. This negative mark typically reduces your credit score by 100 points or more, making future borrowing difficult and expensive.

Beyond the credit score damage, a default judgment gives creditors enhanced collection powers, including wage garnishment, bank account levies and property liens. These actions create additional financial strain and further credit damage.

The best strategy is preventing default judgments by responding to all legal notices and seeking legal representation promptly. If a default has already occurred, our attorneys can pursue post-judgment relief to potentially vacate the judgment and defend the underlying case on its merits.

What Happens In Florida If You Miss A Payment Under The Terms Of My Agreement?

A payment default invites immediate consequences. Most credit card agreements in Florida include acceleration clauses that allow creditors to demand the entire balance upon default. This typically occurs after 30 days of nonpayment.

Late payments are reported to credit bureaus, lowering your credit score. As penalty APRs kick in, you will also face late fees – typically $25 to $40 per occurrence and potentially higher interest rates.

If nonpayment continues, creditors may charge off the account after 180 days and either sell it to a collection agency or file a lawsuit. Once litigation begins, your defense options narrow significantly. Our attorneys can intervene before the situation escalates to litigation.

Ready For A Fresh Start? Our Plantation, Florida Credit Card Debt Lawyers Can Help

We understand that financial challenges can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them alone. Our Plantation credit card debt lawyers are here to help you through the most difficult times of your life. We are happy to thoroughly discuss the pros and cons of all options that are available to you. It is our job to make the process as smooth and transparent as possible and ensure you are in control of your financial future. Call 754-778-9911 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. Our attorneys are readty to listen, guide, and advocate for you every step of the way.