Few events have the power to ruin your whole week like learning that another party is suing you over a debt. Depending on the nature of the claim, you may want consider a number of responses, as well as remedies to the debt as a whole.
First, it is important to establish the validity of the claim. If, for instance, you do not actually owe the debt that the other party wishes to collect, then you face the task of demonstrating that the claim itself is invalid. However, if the debt is valid, you may still have more options than you expect.
In broad strokes, the other party cares more about getting some payment toward the debt than forcing you to suffer any particular burden. You may have an opportunity to offer "pennies on the dollar" terms to settle your debt when you respond to the complaint.
This is certainly one of the areas where is it is very useful to have the guidance of an experienced legal professional, especially one who understands the law surrounding discharging debt and has experience with negotiations.
Depending on the nature of the debt and the point in the process where you are, you may have more ways to discharge debt or put a stop to collections actions than you realize. In some cases, you may even be able to discharge the debt through a bankruptcy procedure.
Such procedures are often fairly complicated and require careful attention and professional guidance to make the most of the benefits they offer. Be sure to obtain the legal counsel you need to address your creditor's claims and protect your future.