I am being sued by a credit card coy  in the superior court for
default on a credit balance of $25000. i stopped paying because i am
only earning enough to keep afloat, basically living from hand to
mouth. will like to make arrangement to settle this out of courtand
pay something on a regular basis.Is it too late to do this ?  What is
my best option and best legal defense strategy bearing in mind that I
will like to pay . i just can not stand the embarrasement of going to
court. What are my options ?

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Request for Question Clarification by politicalguru-ga on 20 Oct 2006 07:00 PDT

Where do you live? I can refer you to services that would help you
legally and financially to manage your debt.

Dear Mbolajide

Before I answer your question, let me refer you to the disclaimer at
the bottom of this page: "Answers and comments provided on Google
Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute
for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax,
legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google
does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product,
manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or
any opinion expressed in answers or comments." My advice here is not a
legal or a financial advice.

You are in serious trouble, but there might be a way out. What you
need are two separate types of assistance: legal assitance for this
trial and for the chance of getting and settlement (althought chances
are that you will have to face the embarrassment of being on trial, it
might be too late indeed); and financial advice to help you sort out
your debt.

"In most communities, there are agencies that can help you manage your debts.

The most helpful and most widely available are non-profit Consumer
Credit Counseling Services (CCCS). CCCS counselors can work with you
privately to help you develop a budget, figure out your options, and
negotiate with creditors to repay your debts. Call 1-800-388-2227 to
locate the office nearest you."
http://www.americasaves.org/strategies/debt.asp#4 

Consumer Credit Counselling
http://www.cccsintl.org/ 

You can get affordable (and in some cases, even free) legal assitance
from legal aid clinics. These are sometimes connected to law faculties
in your area, and sometimes are part of the larger Legal Aid Society.

Legal Aid
<http://www.legal-aid.org/> 

Also put in your city or county and find out nearer Legal Aid societies 
://www.google.com/search?lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Legal%20Aid%20Society 

Here are some additional helpful links: 

Federal Trade Commission:  Information About Debt for Consumers
<http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit/coninfo_debt.htm>

The Legal Aid Society, When the Creditor Sues, What Are My Rights? (PDF)
<http://www.legal-aid.org/Uploads/CreditorSues9_29_04.pdf> 

I hopo this answers your question. Please contact me if you need any
clarification on this answer before you rate it.

You can strike a deal right up until the time you get into court. 
Determine what you can pay and make them an offer.