Georgia Debt Collection Defense

Being Sued by a Debt Collector? You Can Fight Back — And Often Win.

Diwan Law has defended Georgia consumers against debt buyers and collection agencies for 16 years. Free case review — no obligation.

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0Suits filed
per year in GA
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your answer
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Georgia consumers
Debt Buyer

Who Is This Collector?

Debt buyers purchase accounts for pennies on the dollar and file suit in volume, often without the documents needed to prove the claim.

High-volume debt buyers and large agencies can file over 1,000 suits per year in Georgia alone. Volume is their business model — and volume means corners get cut on documentation.

The Burden Is On Them

They Have to Prove It. Very Often, They Can’t.

Most people assume that because they recognise the debt, the case is over. It isn’t. A debt buyer suing you must prove it legally owns your account and can document the exact amount claimed.

When an account has been sold two or three times, the paperwork frequently doesn’t survive the journey. That is the gap we work in.

See If Your Case Has Gaps
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The original signed agreementThe contract you actually signed with the original creditor. Debt buyers routinely cannot produce it.
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The full chain of assignmentEvery transfer from the original creditor to the plaintiff must be documented. One missing link can end the case.
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Account-level statementsA generic balance summary is not evidence. They need statements showing how the figure was reached.
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A witness with actual knowledgeAffidavits from someone who never handled your account are frequently challengeable.
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Filing inside the statute of limitationsGeorgia: 6 years on written contracts, 4 on open accounts. Time-barred suits can be dismissed outright.
Tap any item to see what it means for your case
Your Rights Under Federal Law

Some of What They Do Is Illegal

The FDCPA sets hard limits on collector conduct. Select anything that has happened to you.

Called me at work after I told them to stop
Threatened me with arrest or jail
Kept contacting me after a written cease request
Discussed my debt with family, friends or my employer
Called before 8am or after 9pm
Claimed an amount far higher than I ever owed
Never sent me a debt validation letter
Called repeatedly to harass or annoy me

You have selected 0 of 8. Any one of these may give you a counterclaim — and a counterclaim can turn a case against you into a case against them.

Check My Rights — Free
Where Are You Right Now?

Two Situations. Two Different Plans.

You have a deadline, and it is short.

In Georgia you generally have 30 days from the date you were served to file a written Answer. Miss it and the court can enter a default judgment — meaning they win without ever proving the debt.

Step 01Free case review of your complaint
Step 02We file your Answer before the deadline
Step 03We demand proof of ownership and amount
Step 04Dismissal, settlement, or trial
Protect My Deadline

A judgment is not always the end.

If you were never properly served, or the judgment was entered without valid evidence, it may be possible to move to set it aside. Even where it stands, garnishment and bank levies can often be challenged or negotiated down.

Step 01Review of the judgment and service record
Step 02Motion to vacate where grounds exist
Step 03Challenge or stop wage garnishment
Step 04Negotiate payoff or satisfaction of judgment
Review My Judgment

Christopher J. Diwan

Founder · Atlanta Debt Collection Defense Attorney

Chris dedicates his practice exclusively to consumer rights, debt collection defense and judgment collection defense. What makes him uniquely equipped for your case is his background — he used to work for the other side.

  • State Bar of Georgia, admitted 2004
  • State Bar of Washington, admitted 2011
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
  • Georgia Supreme Court · Court of Appeals · Superior Courts
  • Atlanta Bar Association · Cobb County Bar Association
  • J.D., Georgia State University College of Law, 2004
  • B.A., University of Georgia, 2001
Local, Experienced, Reviewed

1,200+ Georgia Consumers Defended

Chris pursues collectors who violate federal consumer protection law under the FDCPA, the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act and the FCRA — and has litigated complex claims in both Federal and State courts.

Fulton CountyDeKalb CountyCobb CountyGwinnett CountyClayton CountyState & Magistrate Courts
★★★★★

“Chris is amazing! He was able to get my debt lowered to pennies on the dollar!”

Nathaniel Owens
★★★★★

“Mr Christopher Diwan is exceptional. He won my case and made everything easy to understand.”

Ashley Bonucci
★★★★★

“Very professional and helped save me money and case was dismissed.”

Kayode Martin
Read all Google reviews →
Don’t Wait for the Deadline

Talk to a Human Today.

Tell us who is suing you and we will tell you, honestly, whether you have something worth fighting. No obligation, no pressure.

How much does it cost to defend a debt lawsuit?

The case review is free. Fees depend on the case and are discussed openly before you commit to anything. Court costs and litigation expenses may remain your responsibility depending on the fee arrangement.

What happens if I just ignore it?

The court can enter a default judgment. That opens the door to wage garnishment of up to 25% of disposable earnings, bank levies and property liens in Georgia.

Do I have to go to court?

In most cases your attorney handles the filings and appearances. Many matters resolve without you setting foot in a courtroom.

What if I actually do owe the money?

You can still have a strong defense. The question is not only whether a debt existed, but whether this particular plaintiff can prove it owns the account and can document the amount claimed.

What if there is already a judgment against me?

Depending on how you were served and what evidence was presented, it may be possible to move to set the judgment aside, or to challenge the garnishment that follows.

How fast do I need to act?

Generally 30 days from the date of service in Georgia. The sooner we see the complaint, the more options remain available.

The case results shown are illustrative examples of past matters handled by the firm. Every legal matter is unique and depends on its specific facts, applicable laws, and governing jurisdiction. Past outcomes do not guarantee, warrant, or predict similar results in future cases. The amounts, settlements, or dismissals shown reflect specific case negotiations or court orders and should not be construed as a promise of outcome for any other client. Court costs and litigation expenses may remain the responsibility of the client depending on the fee arrangement.