Collection attorneys

Creditors' Rights Attorney: Find a Collection Law Firm

Updated October 18, 2026 · CollectionPlacement editorial team

For creditors. A creditors' rights attorney represents the business or lender that is owed money. That might mean sending a formal demand, filing suit, winning a judgment and enforcing it, or protecting your claim when a debtor files for bankruptcy. CollectionPlacement matches creditors with independent collection law firms that handle this work. Get matched with a creditors' rights law firm, free →

What "creditors' rights" means

Creditors' rights is the area of law covering the legal tools a creditor can use to collect what it's owed, and the limits on those tools. It includes contract and collection lawsuits, judgment enforcement, liens and security interests, and creditors' claims in bankruptcy. A creditors' rights attorney or creditors' rights law firm works on the creditor's side. Debtor-side lawyers defend the person or business that owes the money.

What a creditors' rights attorney does

• Demand letters. A formal written demand on law-firm letterhead, often the last step before suit.
• Collection lawsuits. Filing suit on unpaid invoices, loans, guaranties or contracts in the right court and jurisdiction.
• Judgments. Getting a money judgment, including by default if the debtor doesn't respond.
• Enforcement. Using court-ordered tools where state law allows them: wage garnishment, bank account levies, judgment liens on real property, and debtor examinations to find assets. Federal law limits wage garnishment for most debts to generally the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage per week (15 U.S.C. §1673). Support orders, bankruptcy orders and taxes are exceptions (§1673(b)). States can set tighter limits (§1677). See judgment collection.
• Bankruptcy claims. When a debtor files for bankruptcy, the automatic stay generally stops collection activity (11 U.S.C. §362). Willful violations can lead to damages for individual debtors (§362(k)). Creditors generally must file a proof of claim, Official Form 410 (U.S. Courts), for the claim to be allowed. Failing to file doesn't by itself void a lien. In a voluntary Chapter 7 case or a Chapter 12 or 13 case, a proof of claim is generally timely if filed within 70 days after the order for relief (usually the filing date). In an involuntary Chapter 7 case it's 90 days. Government units get 180 days. In a Chapter 7 case where creditors were told there were no assets, a deadline is set later if assets turn up, and the court mails at least 90 days' notice (Fed. R. Bankr. P. 3002(c)). Chapter 11 deadlines are set by the court under Rule 3003, so check the notice in the case.

Attorney or collection agency?

A collection agency handles pre-legal work: letters, calls and negotiation. It's often a good first step for smaller or newer balances. Choose a creditors' rights attorney when:

• the debtor disputes the debt or ignores agency contact and the balance justifies suit
• you need a judgment, or already have one to enforce
• the debtor has filed, or may file, for bankruptcy
• there are liens, guaranties, collateral or larger commercial balances involved

Many agencies can refer accounts to attorneys, so you don't always have to choose up front. Our guide to collection agency vs. collection attorney goes deeper.

Attorneys and the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act covers consumer debts, those incurred primarily for personal, family or household purposes (15 U.S.C. §1692a). In Heintz v. Jenkins, 514 U.S. 291 (1995), the Supreme Court held that the Act applies to lawyers who regularly collect consumer debts, including through litigation (opinion). Congress had repealed the Act's original attorney exemption in 1986. Debts incurred for business purposes generally fall outside the FDCPA, but state laws can still apply. A creditors' rights firm that handles consumer accounts should be able to explain how it complies.

Finding a creditors' rights attorney near you

Collection lawsuits are usually filed where the debtor is located, so you'll usually want a lawyer licensed to practice there. Start with the state where your debtor is:

Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

You can also see collections by state or find a collection law firm.

How CollectionPlacement matches you with a law firm

1. Tell us about the debt. Debt type, total amount, age and the state where the debtor is located. The form below is set up for commercial debts. Change the debt type if yours is different.
2. We review it. We look at whether the account fits an attorney or an agency, and which jurisdiction matters.
3. We introduce you. We introduce independent collection law firms, or agencies when pre-legal work makes more sense, that may fit your debt type, size and location.
4. You choose. Discuss fees (contingency, hourly or flat), court costs and strategy directly with the firm. There's no obligation.

How we're paid: Matching is free for creditors. Some collection agencies in our network pay us a referral fee when we introduce them to a creditor. Law firms don't pay us referral fees. See how matching works.

Questions to ask a creditors' rights law firm

1. Are you licensed in the state where the debtor is located, and do you handle cases in that court?
2. Do you mainly represent creditors?
3. How do you charge: contingency, hourly, flat fees per stage? Who pays court costs?
4. What do you need from us to file: contract, invoices, statements, guaranties?
5. How do you decide whether a debtor is collectible before suing?
6. How do you handle bankruptcy filings and proofs of claim?
7. For consumer accounts, how do you comply with the FDCPA and state law?

Not legal advice. This page is general information, not legal advice, and laws vary by state and change over time. CollectionPlacement is a referral service, not a law firm or collection agency. Consult a licensed attorney about your situation.