Hospital in Indiana suing over a 3 year old bill....
I am due back in small claims on May 10th because allegedly I missed a November 23rd appearance. I never received a summons either by mail or by Sheriff, as in Vanderburgh County, Indiana, they do both. I initially went to court last April over a $689 bill to a hospital. (I find it odd and ironic that my daughter's stepmother who hates me works in that hospital's billing department, don't you?) I explained I did not have a job and the lawyer for the collections company said to keep her posted. I went to California in August/September to help a family member and had my mail held here. When I came back, there was a letter stating I missed an appearance while I was gone. I called, explained what happened, and they said just show up for the next one and it will be fine. Yet another one was held in about October or so that I went to. I explained I had a job interview that very evening after going over ALL my expenses with the attorney. About a month later I received a letter stating they had ruled against me and they would be deducting an astronomical amount from my already small part time paycheck. I had heard NOTHING since then until the letter received in early March that I'd missed a November court date and now I had to explain just cause as to why I missed it other wise there is now going to be a bench warrant out for my arrest. When I got the letter last month saying I missed one in November, I had NEVER received a summons saying I had to be in court in November...PERIOD. Nothing was ever brought to my door OR put in the mail. It was either never sent or someone was totally incompetent. The letter that was sent about the garnishment never had a court date attached to it.
What can I do? I don't HAVE $689 nor can I afford to have money taken out of my paycheck that's already as small as it is. As it stands, I barely scrape by and I can't lose my apartment. I'm trying to find a second job but the job market here is awful. I plan on printing out all the deposits that I've gotten from work to show how much I'm making. I appreciate any advice you can give. Thank you!
What can I do? I don't HAVE $689 nor can I afford to have money taken out of my paycheck that's already as small as it is. As it stands, I barely scrape by and I can't lose my apartment. I'm trying to find a second job but the job market here is awful. I plan on printing out all the deposits that I've gotten from work to show how much I'm making. I appreciate any advice you can give. Thank you!