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Writer's pictureNoah Johnson

Debt Collection Agency vs. Small Claims Court

Updated: Jun 30, 2023

When attempting to collect a debt, you have two options: hire a debt collection agency or take your debtor to small claims court. The question is, which is the best option for you? So, let's look at how a debt collection agency differs from a small claims court.


Small Claims Court vs. Hiring a Debt Collection Agency


Debt Collection Agency

 

Overview

The most common way to collect unpaid invoices are by hiring a collection agency. Having a debt collection agency handle your collection needs will relieve you of the stress and increase your chances of getting paid.


Professional debt collectors such as Fair Capital know how to get debtors to pay their debts. You should also expect your debtor to take things more seriously once they are contacted by a debt collector.


Cost

Generally, collection agencies charge a percentage of the amount collected. The rate typically ranges from 20 to 40 percent.



Advantages


Leave the work to others

Many people find the small claims process and court proceedings complicated and stressful. As a result, they prefer to outsource the work to a reliable debt collection agency to save time and effort.


Only pay for results

Collection agencies charging on a contingency basis take no commission unless they successfully collect your debt.


Credit reporting

The ability to report to a debtor to the credit reporting agencies makes debt collection agencies very effective. It is not uncommon for debtors to pay their debt solely because it negatively impacts their credit score.






Small Claims

 

Overview

Another option for business owners to collect unpaid debts is filing a small claims lawsuit. Getting your paperwork filed at the local courthouse is not very complicated and doesn't require an attorney.


Cost

When you file a lawsuit in small claims court, you will usually have to pay a filing fee. Depending on the state, the fee can range from $35 to $150. Some states base their filing fees on the amount of outstanding debt.



Advantages


Less expensive

Suppose the collection agency successfully gets your debtor to pay up. In that case, you'll have to pay a substantial amount - typically more than what you would pay if you took your case to small claims court.


No minimum

Small claims court does not require a minimum amount of debt, so you can technically file a lawsuit even if you are owed just $25. (Although the filing fee would not make it worthwhile). Nevertheless, most courts do have a maximum.



Disadvantage

No enforcement

Even after winning a small claims proceeding, you should not expect the court to take any action against your debtor. It is estimated that approximately 80% of judgments in the United States are never collected. Ideally, before filing a small claim, one should have a strategy on how to enforce the judgment once it has been granted. Otherwise, you may end up receiving the money judgment.


Limitations

Depending on your state, you can't sue for more than a certain amount in small claims. A corporation or individual may also be limited in how many cases they can file in a calendar year or month.


Time-consuming

Besides the time spent filing your lawsuit, you may spend about half a day at the courthouse on the day of your hearing. And remember that the burden of proof is on you, not the defendant.

Debt Collection Agency
Small Claims Court

Let others do the work

Yes

No

Only pay for results

Yes

No

​Credit reporting

Yes

No

Less expensive (in general)

No

Yes

Minimum requirement

Sometimes

No

Maximum limitations

No

Yes

Collection efforts

Yes

​No

Time efficient

Yes

No

Bottom Line

Filing a small claims lawsuit may be the best way to resolve an unpaid invoice when the debtor genuinely disputes his responsibility. If, however, there is no substantive dispute or your debtor is giving you the run-around, hiring a professional collection agency will likely be the best course of action.




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