JURISDICTION FILE
The United States is not one jurisdiction. It is fifty. Each state has its own court system, its own statute of limitations, its own judgement enforcement rules, and its own debtor protection laws. Federal law adds the FDCPA and state-level equivalents on top. Collecting a debt in Texas is nothing like collecting a debt in New York. We operate in all fifty states — and we know the difference.
HOW WE COLLECT HERE
"Pursuant to applicable state and federal law, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq.), this constitutes formal demand for payment. Failure to remit payment within thirty (30) days may result in the commencement of legal proceedings."
The United States is the world's largest economy and, for international creditors, one of the most deceptively complex debt collection jurisdictions in existence. It looks familiar — English language, common law tradition, sophisticated courts. But beneath the surface lies a fragmented legal landscape where 50 state court systems, a parallel federal court system, and overlapping federal and state consumer protection statutes create a maze.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq.) governs debt collection activity in the United States. Violations carry statutory damages of up to USD 1,000 per occurrence, plus actual damages, attorney's fees, and class action exposure up to USD 500,000. Our US operations are fully FDCPA-compliant.
FDCPA (15 U.S.C. § 1692) · UCC · State Civil Procedure
50 state court systems. Statutes of limitations from 3-10 years by state. FDCPA violations: up to USD 1,000 per occurrence + attorney's fees.
US commercial litigation begins with a critical decision: which court, in which state. The statute of limitations ranges from 3 years to 10 years. Filing one day after expiration means the claim is dead. Our case intake process verifies the applicable statute of limitations before any strategy is recommended.
For claims in the USD 5,000–75,000 range, most states offer small claims or limited jurisdiction courts with simplified procedures. Federal court diversity jurisdiction is available when the amount in controversy exceeds USD 75,000.
FDCPA NOTICE
Formal demand
30-day validation period. Full compliance with federal + state collection statutes required.
STATE COURT
Civil complaint filed
State superior/circuit court. 20-30 days to respond. Discovery drives settlement pressure.
DEFAULT JUDGEMENT
No response = judgement
Same force as trial judgement. Basis for all post-judgement enforcement.
ENFORCEMENT
Multi-state execution
Bank levy, wage garnishment, judgement lien, UCC lien on business assets.
In the US, obtaining a judgement is only half the battle. The creditor must then enforce it — and enforcement tools vary dramatically by state. Bank levy, wage garnishment (up to 25% of disposable earnings), judgement lien on real property, UCC lien on business assets, and debtor examination under oath.
JURISDICTION BRIEFING
How InterStation collects in the US — a 90-second briefing
A judgement obtained in New York is not automatically enforceable in California. The Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act allows domestication, but this is a separate legal process. For foreign creditors holding non-US judgements, the process is more complex — the US is not a party to any multilateral treaty on judgement recognition.
A judgement obtained in New York is not automatically enforceable in California. The creditor may need to domesticate the judgement in each state where the debtor has assets. The US is not a party to any multilateral treaty on judgement recognition.
Bank levy
Court order directing debtor's bank to freeze and turn over funds.
Wage garnishment
Up to 25% of disposable earnings under federal law.
Judgement lien
Recorded with county recorder. Prevents sale or refinance.
Debtor examination
Subpoena to disclose all assets under oath. Failure = bench warrant.
We maintain collection operations across all 50 states through a network of licensed US attorneys and bonded collection agencies. Every state's licensing requirements, statute of limitations, and procedural rules are mapped and updated. For international creditors, we provide the critical translation layer between your home jurisdiction and the US legal system.
ENFORCEMENT PROTOCOL
A demand letter citing specific state and federal authority. The debtor's in-house counsel reviews. The 30-day validation clock starts.
DAY 0: FDCPA-Compliant Demand. A demand letter citing specific state and federal authority. The debtor's in-house counsel reviews. The 30-day validation clock starts.Civil lawsuit filed in the appropriate jurisdiction. Summons served. The debtor must respond within 20-30 days or face default.
DAY 35: Complaint Filed. Civil lawsuit filed in the appropriate jurisdiction. Summons served. The debtor must respond within 20-30 days or face default.No response? Motion for default judgement. If contested: discovery, depositions, and discovery costs create settlement pressure.
DAY 65: Default Judgement / Discovery. No response? Motion for default judgement. If contested: discovery, depositions, and discovery costs create settlement pressure.Judgement lien recorded. Bank levy issued. Wage garnishment order filed. UCC lien on business assets.
DAY 90+: Post-Judgement Enforcement. Judgement lien recorded. Bank levy issued. Wage garnishment order filed. UCC lien on business assets.A demand letter citing specific state and federal authority. The debtor's in-house counsel reviews. The 30-day validation clock starts.
DAY 0: FDCPA-Compliant Demand. A demand letter citing specific state and federal authority. The debtor's in-house counsel reviews. The 30-day validation clock starts.Civil lawsuit filed in the appropriate jurisdiction. Summons served. The debtor must respond within 20-30 days or face default.
DAY 35: Complaint Filed. Civil lawsuit filed in the appropriate jurisdiction. Summons served. The debtor must respond within 20-30 days or face default.No response? Motion for default judgement. If contested: discovery, depositions, and discovery costs create settlement pressure.
DAY 65: Default Judgement / Discovery. No response? Motion for default judgement. If contested: discovery, depositions, and discovery costs create settlement pressure.Judgement lien recorded. Bank levy issued. Wage garnishment order filed. UCC lien on business assets.
DAY 90+: Post-Judgement Enforcement. Judgement lien recorded. Bank levy issued. Wage garnishment order filed. UCC lien on business assets.FREQUENTLY ASKED
Need to collect a debt in United States? Contact us with your case details and we will confirm our approach within 24 hours.
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