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Licensed debt settlement law firm offering debt negotiation, consolidation, and litigation defense across 10+ states through attorney representation.
Data compiled from public sources
Paramount Law is a debt settlement law firm operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Law Firm of Higbee & Associates, PC. Founded by attorney Mathew Higbee, the firm specializes in representing consumers in debt resolution matters. The firm is licensed to practice in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia, and only accepts clients in these states.
The firm offers debt settlement negotiation to reduce the amount owed, debt consolidation services, litigation defense against creditors and debt collectors, rights restoration and record expungement, and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) violation claims against collectors. They provide free consultations to evaluate a client's specific financial situation and develop personalized debt resolution strategies. The company emphasizes that clients work with licensed attorneys rather than non-attorney debt settlement companies, positioning legal representation as a core profile context.
Paramount Law distinguishes itself by offering litigation-based debt defense and the ability to pursue claims against debt collectors for FDCPA violations, potentially allowing clients to recover damages. The firm has an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and claims to have helped thousands of clients. Their approach combines debt negotiation with legal advocacy, appealing to consumers who want professional legal representation rather than third-party debt settlement services.
Consumers should note that the firm operates in a limited number of states and requires appointments for in-person consultations. While the website emphasizes their legal experience context and BBB rating, debt settlement involves trade-offs including potential credit score impacts, tax implications on forgiven debt, and longer timelines compared to other options. The firm's disclaimer clarifies that past results do not listed refund term outcomes and that results depend on individual case facts.
When evaluating debt relief companies, consumers should compare settlement programs against alternatives like debt consolidation loans, which combine multiple debts into a single fixed-rate payment. Credit counseling through nonprofit agencies offers free budgeting help without impacting credit scores. For those whose credit has already been damaged, credit repair services can address inaccurate negative items on reports. Personal loans for bad credit may provide funds for debt payoff at lower rates than credit cards, and credit monitoring services help track progress throughout the recovery process. Consolidating high-interest balances into a single installment loan with a fixed rate can reduce total interest paid and simplify monthly budgeting.
While repairing your credit, a secured card can add payment-history context when it reports to the bureaus. Compare deposits, fees, bureau reporting, and any no-credit-check claims directly.
This is state-level context for Debt Relief consumers in San Diego, CA. It does not confirm that Paramount Law or this specific location is licensed.
State regulator
California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI)
Consumer protection
Relevant law: California Credit Services Act of 1984 (Cal. Civ. Code § 1789.10-1789.26)
Registration: Required with California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI)
Upfront fees: Listed as prohibited in the current CreditDoc state summary
Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.
Paramount Law offers 11 services including Debt settlement negotiation to reduce amount owed, Debt consolidation consulting and strategy, Litigation defense against creditors and debt collectors, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) violation claims and representation, Rights restoration services, and 6 more.
Paramount Law has profile signals associated with Consumers being actively harassed or sued by debt collectors who want legal representation, Residents in CO, FL, GA, IA, IL, KS, NJ, NV, OH, SC, or VA seeking attorney-led debt negotiation, Individuals with multiple debts (personal loans, medical bills, credit cards) wanting consolidated legal strategy, Consumers potentially owed money by debt collectors for FDCPA violations.
Key strengths: Licensed attorneys provide representation rather than non-attorney debt settlement consultants; A+ Better Business Bureau rating; Can pursue Fair Debt Collection Practices Act violations and recover damages from violating collectors. Areas to consider: Only licensed and operating in 10 states (CO, FL, GA, IA, IL, KS, NJ, NV, OH, SC, VA), limiting availability; In-person consultation by appointment only at San Diego office location.
In the Debt Relief category, comparable providers include A American Debt Consolidation, Lawsuit Cash 24/7, Roz Lawsuit Loans. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.
CreditDoc Profile Note
Paramount Law is profile signals for consumers in its 10 licensed states who face debt lawsuits or collector harassment and want attorney representation rather than third-party debt settlement services. The main caveat is limited geographic availability and the understanding that debt settlement impacts credit scores, may trigger tax liability, and results vary based on individual circumstances—attorney representation does not listed refund term reduced settlements or lawsuit dismissals.
American Debt Consolidation offers debt management, settlement, and consolidation services for unsecured debt through counseling and negotiation rather than loans.
Profile signals: Consumers with high-interest unsecured debt (credit cards, personal loans) seeking alternatives to traditional consolidation loans, Individuals struggling with paycheck-to-paycheck living and collection calls who want to avoid bankruptcy
Pre- and post-settlement lawsuit funding company offering cash advances up to $100,000 to accident injury claimants within 24 hours, with repayment only required if the case settles.
Profile signals: Accident injury claimants facing urgent expense context while awaiting case settlement, Injured individuals unable to work who need living expense funding during litigation
Roz Lawsuit Loans offers pre-settlement legal funding to plaintiffs in California, providing cash advances against pending lawsuit settlements.
Profile signals: California plaintiffs in active personal injury or civil cases who need cash while awaiting settlement, Consumers who prefer direct, one-on-one contact with a small independent funder rather than a large company
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A step-by-step guide to consolidating your debt on your own, without paying a debt consolidation company. Covers balance transfers, personal loans, the snowball method, and negotiating directly with creditors.
Read guide →A step-by-step 90-day plan to assess your finances, attack debt, dispute errors, and rebuild credit. Real timelines, specific actions, and legal protections you can use immediately.
Read guide →Learn how debt management plans reduce interest rates, negotiate with creditors, and help rebuild credit in 3–5 years. Real timelines and eligibility rules.
Read guide →New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
When you fail to repay a loan according to the agreed terms — usually after 90-180 days of missed payments. It's the point where the lender gives up on collecting normally.
Default triggers severe consequences: credit score drops 100+ points, the debt may be sent to collections, you could be sued, and your wages or assets could be seized.
Example
You miss 4 consecutive car payments. The lender declares your loan in default, repossesses your car, sells it at auction for $8,000, and you still owe the remaining $5,000 (called a deficiency balance).
A federal agency created in 2010 to protect consumers from unfair financial practices. They write rules, supervise financial companies, and handle consumer complaints.
The CFPB is your most powerful ally against high-cost lenders. Filing a complaint with them gets a response from the company within 15 days — companies take CFPB complaints seriously.
Example
A debt collector calls your workplace after you told them to stop. You file a CFPB complaint online. Within 15 days, the collection agency responds and agrees to stop. The CFPB tracks complaint patterns across all companies.
A federal law that limits what debt collectors can do. They can't call before 8am or after 9pm, can't harass you, can't lie, and are required to stop contacting you if you request in writing.
Knowing your FDCPA rights stops abusive collection tactics. If a collector violates the law, you may have a right to sue for up to $1,000 per violation plus attorney fees.
Example
A collector calls your workplace 3 times after you told them not to. That's 3 FDCPA violations. You hire a consumer attorney (free — they get paid by the collector). The collector settles for $3,000.
A court order that requires your employer to withhold part of your paycheck and send it directly to a creditor. Usually happens after a creditor sues you and has obtained a judgment.
Federal law limits garnishment to 25% of disposable income. Some states have lower limits. Student loans and taxes can be garnished without a court order.
Example
You owe $8,000 on a defaulted credit card. The bank sues, gets a judgment, and garnishes your wages. On a $3,000/month net paycheck, they take $750/month until the debt is paid.
A time limit (typically 3-6 years, varies by state) after which a creditor can no longer sue you to collect a debt. The debt still exists, but they lose the legal power to force payment.
Knowing your state's statute of limitations prevents you from being tricked into paying debts that are legally uncollectable. Beware: making a payment can restart the clock.
Example
You have a $3,000 credit card debt from 2019. Your state has a 4-year statute of limitations. In 2024, a collector calls demanding payment. The statute has expired — they cannot sue you.
A type of bankruptcy where you keep your assets but follow a court-approved 3-5 year repayment plan to pay back some or all of your debts. Stays on credit for 7 years.
Chapter 13 may be more relevant than Chapter 7 if you have a home or assets you want to keep. It can stop foreclosure and let you catch up on mortgage payments over 3-5 years.
Example
You're 3 months behind on your mortgage and have $30,000 in credit card debt. Chapter 13 stops foreclosure and puts you on a 5-year plan: you pay $600/month to catch up on the mortgage and pay 40% of the credit card debt.
A type of bankruptcy that wipes out most unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills) by liquidating non-exempt assets. It stays on your credit for 10 years.
Chapter 7 gives you a fresh start but at a steep cost: 10 years on your credit, difficulty getting loans, and you may lose assets. Income is generally required to be below your state's median to qualify.
Example
You have $45,000 in credit card debt and earn $35,000/year. Chapter 7 erases the debt. You keep exempt property (basic car, household items). Your score drops to ~500 but you're debt-free.
When a creditor declares your debt a loss after 180 days of nonpayment and removes it from their books. But you still owe the money — they just stop expecting to collect it themselves.
A charge-off is one of the most damaging entries on your credit report and stays for 7 years. The debt is usually sold to a collection agency who will pursue you for it.
Example
You stop paying your $4,000 credit card. After 180 days, the bank charges it off and sells the debt to a collector for $800. The collector now contacts you demanding the full $4,000 (they profit from what they collect above $800).
When an unpaid debt is transferred or sold to a third-party collection agency that specializes in recovering the money. Collection accounts appear on your credit report for 7 years.
Even a $50 collection account can drop your score 50-100 points. Some newer FICO models (FICO 9) ignore paid collections, but many lenders still use older models.
Example
An old $200 gym bill goes to collections. It appears on all 3 credit reports and drops your 720 score to 640. Paying it helps with newer scoring models but under FICO 8 (still widely used), a paid collection still hurts.
Combining multiple debts into one single loan with one monthly payment, ideally at a lower interest rate. It simplifies repayment and can reduce total interest.
Consolidation is generally most useful when you get a lower rate than your existing debts. But it doesn't reduce what you owe — and extending the term can mean paying more total interest.
Example
You have: $5,000 at 22% (credit card), $3,000 at 18% (store card), $2,000 at 25% (payday loan). A $10,000 consolidation loan at 11% saves you ~$2,100 in interest over 3 years.
Negotiating with creditors to accept less than the full amount you owe — typically 40-60 cents on the dollar. Usually done after you've already fallen behind on payments.
Settlement can save thousands, but it severely damages your credit (settled accounts show for 7 years) and the IRS may tax the forgiven amount as income.
Example
You owe $15,000 on a credit card and negotiate a settlement of $7,500 (50%). You save $7,500 but: your credit drops 100+ points, the account shows 'settled' for 7 years, and you may owe taxes on the $7,500 forgiven.
The percentage of your monthly gross income that goes toward paying debts. Lenders use it to judge whether you can afford another loan payment.
Most lenders want DTI below 36% for personal loans and below 43% for mortgages. Above that, you're considered overextended and likely to be denied.
Example
You earn $5,000/month gross. Your debts: $1,200 mortgage + $300 car + $200 student loans = $1,700/month. DTI = 34%. A new $400/month loan would push you to 42% — risky for lenders.
A court ruling that says you legally owe a specific amount to a creditor. It gives the creditor power to garnish wages, freeze bank accounts, or place liens on your property.
Judgments are enforceable for 10-20 years (varies by state) and can be renewed. They give creditors far more collection power than a simple unpaid debt.
Example
A credit card company sues you for $8,000 and has obtained a judgment. They can now garnish 25% of your paycheck ($750/month on a $3,000 net salary) and freeze your bank account.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
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