If you have never handed a matter to a collections law firm, you probably want to know what actually happens next. Even creditors who have done it before ask. What does intake involve? What gets filed, and when? What will you hear from us, and how often? What do you have to do? When does money start coming back?
This page walks through the operational side. We cover what we do, what we need from you, what you will see and when, and how a typical commercial collection matter unfolds.
Intake: Days 0 Through 7
Intake comes first. The point is to confirm we have what we need, settle the engagement terms, and get the matter moving.
Initial conversation. One of our lawyers talks with your contact, whether that is an A/R manager, controller, in-house counsel, or whoever you designate. We go through the underlying transaction, the documentation you have, the debtor’s profile, what you have already tried, what you are expecting, and any constraints we should know about.
Documentation review. We go through everything you send us: credit application, contracts, invoices, statements, communications, payment history, any guaranties, and any demand letters you already sent. We flag the gaps and tell you what else we may need.
Engagement letter. We put the engagement in writing: scope, fee structure, how we will communicate, and the other terms. You review and sign.
Conflict check. We run conflict checks before we formally take the matter on.
File setup. Once the engagement letter is signed, we open the matter in our case management system and assign the lawyer who will handle it.
By the end of intake, we have a signed engagement letter, intake notes, organized documentation, and an initial strategy. You have a clear point of contact here, a written engagement letter, and a clear sense of the path ahead.
Demand Phase: Days 7 Through 30
For most matters, our first substantive move is a demand letter.
Drafting the demand. The letter identifies us and you, lays out the obligation and the current amount due (including interest and other charges where they apply), states that we will sue if the matter is not resolved within a set period, and addresses anything specific to the matter, such as guarantor liability, lien rights, or statutory notices.
The Chapter 38 effect. On contract-based claims where attorney’s fees are recoverable under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 38, the demand letter satisfies the statutory notice requirement and starts the 30-day clock after which fees become recoverable.
Sending the letter. It usually goes by certified mail with return receipt requested, and often by first-class mail and email as well, depending on what addresses we have.
The response window. The letter typically gives the debtor 10 to 30 days to respond, depending on the facts and how urgent the matter is.
What typically happens. Roughly 15% to 20% of matters start resolving at the demand-letter stage, with the debtor paying in full, making a substantial payment, or calling us to work out a structured settlement. When the debtor responds, we negotiate and keep you updated. When the debtor stays silent or takes a position you are unwilling to accept, we move to filing.
Filing: Days 30 Through 45
When demand does not resolve the matter, we file suit.
Choosing the cause of action. We pick the most efficient claim for the matter: Suit on Sworn Account under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 185 for invoice-based commercial debts, suit on a promissory note for note matters, breach of contract for other contract claims, and specific statutory claims where they apply.
Choosing the court. Jurisdiction and venue decide the court. Justice court for matters within its limit, county court at law or district court for larger matters, and federal court where diversity or federal-question jurisdiction applies and the matter justifies it.
Drafting and filing the petition. The petition names the parties, sets out the cause of action, attaches the supporting documentation, and includes the prayer for relief: principal, interest, costs, attorney’s fees, and post-judgment interest.
Issuance and service. The clerk issues citation, and we arrange service on the defendants, usually through a private process server or the constable’s office. Service is what triggers the defendant’s answer deadline.
The answer deadline. The defendant generally has until 10:00 a.m. on the Monday following the expiration of 20 days after service to answer. If no answer comes in, we set the matter up for default judgment.
Pre-Judgment Phase: Days 45 Through 180
What happens between filing and judgment turns on what the defendant does.
Default path (defendant doesn’t answer). We wait out the answer deadline, then move for default judgment with the supporting affidavits: proof of service, balance, and attorney’s fees. Courts usually grant the motion within a few weeks. For a commercial matter, default judgment is typically obtainable within 60 to 90 days of filing.
Summary judgment path (defendant answers but cannot raise a fact issue). We move for summary judgment with affidavits and exhibits. The motion is set for hearing roughly 21 days after notice, and the court rules within a reasonable period after the hearing. For a typical commercial matter, summary judgment is obtainable within 4 to 6 months of filing.
Trial path (matter must be tried). This is less common in commercial collection. The matter follows the court’s docket, and trial usually comes 9 to 18 months after filing, sometimes longer depending on the court.
Settlement during litigation. Plenty of matters settle once suit is on file. We negotiate as openings come up and keep you posted on offers and counteroffers.
Post-Judgment Phase: After Judgment Is Entered
Once judgment is entered, the work shifts to enforcement.
Day 1 actions. We record abstracts of judgment in counties where the debtor owns or might own real property, and we calculate the judgment balance with post-judgment interest under Texas Finance Code Chapter 304.
First 30 days. We research the debtor through public records: real property, UCC filings, business records, prior litigation, and known affiliations. We also prepare post-judgment written discovery (interrogatories, requests for production, requests for disclosure) under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 621a.
Days 30–90. We serve the post-judgment discovery. The debtor has 30 days to respond. If we get responses, we review them for asset leads. If the responses are evasive, incomplete, or at odds with what we know, we file motions to compel and prepare for post-judgment depositions.
Days 30–180. We file garnishments against bank accounts we have identified and issue writs of execution for non-exempt personal property. The public-records investigation widens, and we schedule depositions where they help.
Days 90–270. Where ordinary execution does not get the job done, we pursue turnover orders under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 31.002, and we seek a court-appointed receiver where that is the right tool.
Ongoing. We bring contempt proceedings against debtors who refuse to comply with court orders, keep investigating assets, and negotiate as opportunities come up.
How long it takes to reach substantial recovery varies a great deal with the debtor’s profile. For Category B matters (a resistant but collectible debtor), substantial recovery usually follows within 6 to 18 months of intake. (See: Realistic Recovery Timeline & Expectations.)
What the Creditor Sees and When
How often we report depends on the matter and on your preference. Common structures:
Initial assessment. Within 30 to 60 days of engagement, a written assessment of the matter: claims, defenses, expected timeline, expected outcome, and our recommended strategy.
Event-based updates. When something significant happens (an answer is filed, a motion is set, a ruling comes in, judgment is entered, a garnishment is served, money is recovered), you get a prompt written update.
Periodic status reports. For ongoing matters, we send written status reports at whatever cadence you want, commonly monthly or quarterly. If you are an institutional creditor with formal reporting requirements, we produce reports in the format you specify.
Recovery transmittals. When money comes in, we send it to you (less applicable fees and costs) with an accounting.
Closing report. When the matter ends, you get a written summary: outcome, total recovery, total fees and costs, and any lessons worth noting.
What the Creditor Is Expected to Do
Your role during the matter is limited, but it matters.
Provide information when we ask. We sometimes need more documentation, clarification, or detail about the transaction or the debtor. Answering quickly keeps the matter moving.
Approve the significant decisions. Settlement offers, the choice to pursue contempt or receivership, the choice to add claims, and similar strategic calls need your input. We give you the analysis and a recommendation, and you decide.
Forward debtor contact. If the debtor reaches out to you directly while the matter is pending, send them to us rather than discussing it yourself. Direct creditor-debtor communication during litigation can muddy the matter and hand the debtor defenses they would not otherwise have.
Stay available. For depositions, hearings, or trial, your representative may be needed as a witness. Most matters never require your testimony, but some do.
Pay bills as invoiced. On hourly engagements, you pay our invoices as they come. On contingency engagements, you advance costs as needed and our fee comes out of the recovery.
When Recovery Comes In
For matters that produce recovery, here is how the money reaches you:
Garnishment recovery. When we serve a writ of garnishment on a bank or other third party, that party files an answer reporting what, if anything, it holds for the debtor. After any contest period, the funds are released to us, and we send them on to you, less our fee and costs.
Settlement recovery. When we settle, the debtor pays under the settlement terms, sometimes in a lump sum and sometimes in installments. We track the payments and forward them to you as they arrive.
Execution recovery. When the constable or sheriff executes on personal property, the property is sold and the proceeds go to the judgment. We receive the proceeds, less the officer’s fee, and forward them to you.
Real property recovery. Where we have foreclosed a judgment lien on real property, the property is sold and the proceeds are distributed under the priority rules. We forward your share.
Voluntary payment. Some debtors, once they see the matter is being actively enforced, simply pay. We pass the payment along to you.
We usually transmit recovery within a few weeks of receiving the funds, along with a written accounting of how the figure was calculated.
Engage With Confidence
We built our process to be predictable, transparent, and efficient. When you engage us, you know what to expect and when, what your role is, and what ours is.
If you have a matter to discuss, contact us. The intake conversation is without obligation.
Contact us to get started or call 214-368-4686.
Related Pages
- Getting Started
- Our Debt Collection System
- For A/R Departments
- For Lenders and Financial Institutions
- I Already Have a Judgment
- Realistic Recovery Timeline & Expectations
- Texas Collections Law FAQs
Operational FAQs
How long does the intake conversation typically take?
Usually 20 to 45 minutes, depending on how complex the matter is. Follow-up calls or document reviews can add time.
Who at the firm will I work with?
A specific lawyer is assigned to your matter at intake, and that lawyer is your primary contact. Paralegals and support staff may also work on the matter, but the assigned lawyer is responsible for it and is your point of contact for substantive questions.
Can I meet the firm in person before engaging?
Yes. We are happy to meet at our Dallas office if you want to before engaging. Many creditors engage based on phone and email alone; either approach is fine.
Will I receive copies of every filing?
By default we copy you on substantive filings: petitions, motions, judgments, and post-judgment writs. If you want more or fewer copies, we adjust.
What if I want to be more involved than typical clients?
Some creditors want to weigh in on strategy, attend significant hearings, review draft pleadings before filing, or otherwise stay hands-on. We accommodate that. We set the communication structure at intake, and you can change it later.
What if I want to be less involved?
Other creditors want milestone updates only and would rather leave the operational calls to us. We accommodate that too. We make clear which decisions need your input and which we can make under standing instructions.
How quickly does the firm typically respond to creditor communications?
For routine questions, within one to two business days, and faster for urgent matters. Our working rule is that creditor communications get attention promptly.
What if my matter has unusual issues: multi-state debtor, complex trust structures, prior unsuccessful collection efforts, etc.?
We handle complex matters routinely. We address the unusual issues in the initial assessment and build the strategy around them.
What if I'm not satisfied with the firm's work?
We want to hear about it. Raise anything that comes up during the engagement with your assigned lawyer, or with another partner if that is an easier conversation. Our reputation rests on producing results and on talking straight when a matter does not go as expected.
Can the firm work on matters originating from outside Texas?
Yes. For matters with a Texas connection (Texas court jurisdiction, a Texas-located debtor, Texas assets), we file here. For out-of-state collection involving Texas creditors with out-of-state debtors, we coordinate with counsel in the relevant state.