Debt Collection
What to do if you've been sued over a debt in Utah — deadlines, forms, and how to respond.
How a Judgment Affects Your Credit Report in Utah
Since 2017, the three major credit bureaus have generally stopped including civil judgments on consumer credit reports at all — a real, surprising policy change that contradicts what most people assume.
Debt Buyer Lawsuits in Utah: What's Different From an Original Creditor Suing You
A debt buyer has to prove it actually owns your specific debt — a documented chain of title, not just a generic bill of sale covering thousands of accounts. This is one of the strongest defenses in a debt buyer case.
Utah Homestead Exemption: Protecting Your Home From Creditors
The homestead exemption protects home equity from an ordinary money judgment, not just in bankruptcy — but it doesn't block every kind of lien, including the mortgage you signed yourself.
Your Rights Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Federal law limits when debt collectors can call you, how often, and what they can say — including a specific '7-in-7' calling limit most people have never heard of.
Medical Debt in Utah: What's Different
Utah law requires a 45-day notice before a medical bill can go to collections or be reported to a credit bureau, and nonprofit hospitals face separate federal financial-assistance rules before extraordinary collection actions.
Vehicle Repossession in Utah: Your Rights
Utah lets lenders repossess a vehicle without a court order or advance warning — but the repo agent can't breach the peace, and you have a right to redeem the car before it's sold.
Payday Loans in Utah: Why There's No Interest Rate Cap
Utah sets no interest rate cap on payday loans at all — APRs commonly exceed 300-600% — but there is a 10-week limit on how long interest can accrue or a loan can be rolled over.
Debt Settlement vs. Bankruptcy: Understanding Your Options in Utah
Debt settlement and bankruptcy solve different problems in different ways — bankruptcy is federal law, filed in federal court, and this article explains the difference without telling you which to choose.
Negotiating a Settlement With a Utah Debt Collector
Practical, procedural guidance for negotiating a debt settlement — get everything in writing, understand the tax implications, and know what a settlement does and doesn't resolve.
Utah Judgment Liens: How a Judgment Attaches to Property
How a Utah money judgment can turn into a lien on real property — recorded with the county, tied to a set duration, and collectible even years later when the property sells.
Utah Statute of Limitations on Debt: When Is a Debt Too Old to Sue On
Utah gives creditors 6 years to sue on a written contract debt and 4 years on an open account — but a single acknowledgment or payment can restart the clock entirely.
Bank Account Garnishment vs. Wage Garnishment in Utah
How Utah's two main garnishment types differ, what's protected in each, and the tight 10-day deadline to claim an exemption if money that shouldn't be taken is at risk.
How to Send a Debt Validation Letter in Utah
Debt validation is a federal right under the FDCPA that applies in Utah just like everywhere else — here's how to use it, and what it does and doesn't do.
Utah Wage Garnishment: How It Works
How much of your paycheck a Utah creditor can actually garnish, what income is exempt, and how the process works from both sides.
How to Respond to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Utah (Complete Guide)
You've been sued over a debt in Utah — here's the deadline you're on, how to file an answer, and what happens if you do nothing.
What Happens If You Ignore a Utah Debt Lawsuit
Not answering a Utah debt lawsuit doesn't make it go away — it leads to a default judgment, which the creditor can then use to garnish your wages or bank account.