What Happens When You Contact Us
The first step is simple: contact us. You do not need a complete file, a polished summary, or a firm idea of what you want to do. You need a debt that is not getting paid and a willingness to do something about it.
When you reach out, we will have a brief initial conversation about your situation: the nature of the debt, the amount, what you know about the debtor, and what you have already tried. That conversation is free. Based on what we hear, we will give you a candid assessment of whether the matter is worth pursuing and, if so, how we would approach it.
We do not take every matter. If a debt is too small relative to the likely cost of collection, or if the debtor appears to have no collectible assets, we will tell you that directly rather than take your money. But in most cases there is a path forward, and that first conversation is where we find it.
What to Send Us
Gathering your documents before you call speeds things up, but it is not a requirement. If you have most of what is listed below, that is enough to get started. Should some of it be missing, call anyway.
The invoice, statements, or account history. This is the foundation of the claim. It establishes what was owed, when it was due, and how the debt arose. If you have sent multiple invoices or statements over time, send them all. The full history shows the debtor’s pattern of non-payment, which matters both at the demand stage and in court.
The contract, purchase order, or written agreement, if one exists. A signed contract or purchase order ties the debtor to specific terms and makes it much harder to dispute the underlying obligation. If no written agreement exists, that is not fatal, because invoices and course of dealing can establish a claim, but a signed document is always better.
The promissory note, if the debt has been reduced to one. A signed promissory note is among the strongest instruments we work with. It is an explicit, documented acknowledgment of the debt by the debtor and changes the calculus of the matter significantly.
All correspondence with the debtor. Emails, faxes, letters, text messages, anything in writing between you and the debtor. This includes your attempts to collect and the debtor’s responses or silence. Correspondence often reveals defenses the debtor intends to raise, promises that were made and broken, and admissions about the balance owed. We find things in correspondence that the debtor may not realize they have left behind.
Everything you know about the debtor. Full legal name and any aliases. Current and former addresses. The name of any business they operate. A spouse’s name if known. Any bank you have on file, since even an old check made out to you is useful because it gives us a bank name and account number. The more we know about who we are dealing with, the more tools we have available.
A brief narrative of what happened, in your own words. Optional, but useful. A short timeline of events, such as when the relationship started, when payments stopped, what the debtor said, and what you did in response, gives us context that documents alone cannot provide. It also helps us anticipate the defenses the debtor is likely to raise, which affects how we approach the matter from the start.
You Do Not Need a Complete File to Call
The single most damaging thing a creditor can do is wait. Every month of delay gives the debtor more time to move assets, close bank accounts, or dissolve a business, and lets the underlying claim age toward a limitations problem. We have seen good claims become uncollectable because the creditor waited too long.
If you have the invoice and a name, that is enough to have a conversation. We will tell you what else we need and whether it can be obtained. Do not let an incomplete file keep you from making the call.
What Happens After You Contact Us
Once we have reviewed your documents, we will talk through the matter with you directly. That conversation covers:
What we think of the claim and whether it is worth pursuing. We are direct about this. If the cost of collection is likely to exceed the recovery, we will say so.
Whether a demand letter is the right first step or whether the circumstances argue for moving immediately to suit. In our experience, 15% to 20% of debtors will attempt to resolve the matter once they see that an attorney has been retained. That is a meaningful number and it is why we almost always begin with demand before filing.
What the likely cost of collection is, weighed against what you stand to recover. We do not treat a $3,000 matter the same way we treat a $300,000 matter, and we do not ask you to spend more than a case is worth.
What we know about the debtor’s situation and what that means for the approach we take.
You leave that conversation knowing what happens next, what it costs, and what to expect.
Contact Us
Call us at 214-368-4686, email us at co*****@************is.com, or fill out the form below. We offer a free initial consultation and respond promptly.
Common Questions
What documents do I need to get started?
Bring everything you have related to the debt: the original contract or agreement, all invoices and statements, a record of any payments received, all correspondence with the debtor — emails, letters, texts — and any information you have about the debtor's current address, employer, or business. If the debt has been reduced to a promissory note, bring the note. If you already have a judgment, bring the judgment document and the case number. If you are missing some of this, bring what you have. An incomplete file is not a reason to delay calling.
I only have an invoice and the debtor's name. Is that enough to get started?
Yes. Bring what you have. Delay is the single biggest factor that reduces recovery — every month that passes gives the debtor more time to move assets, close bank accounts, or let your claim age toward a limitations problem. We can evaluate the matter with what you have and tell you what else would be useful. Do not wait until your file is complete to make the call.
What if the debt is not in writing — can you still collect?
In many cases, yes. A written contract or signed invoice is stronger evidence than a verbal agreement, but it is not always required. Course of dealing, payment history, email exchanges, and other evidence can establish a claim even without a formal written agreement. Tell us what you have and we will tell you honestly what it is worth and how hard it will be to prove.
Do you evaluate whether a matter is worth pursuing before I spend money?
Yes, and we are direct about it. Not every debt is worth pursuing. If the debtor has no collectible assets, if the balance is too small relative to the likely cost of collection, or if there are legal problems with the underlying claim, we will tell you that in the initial consultation rather than take your money and produce nothing. One conversation is usually enough to give you a realistic picture of where you stand.
How quickly do you move after I send you my documents?
Quickly. Once we have reviewed your file and had the initial conversation, we move without delay. Demand letters go out promptly. When a lawsuit is necessary, we typically file within 30 days of the demand letter — and in many cases within 10 days. We do not let matters sit. The debtor's situation can change fast and we treat your matter accordingly.
What happens after I send you my documents?
We review your file, assess the strength of the claim and the likely collectability of the debtor, and contact you to discuss the recommended approach and the costs involved. We will be direct with you about whether and how to proceed — including if we believe the matter is unlikely to produce a recovery worth the cost of pursuit. You leave that conversation knowing exactly what happens next.