Debt Collection

Pennsylvania debt collection is the legal process of recovering money owed by one individual or business to another. It applies to all types of debts, including unpaid loans, credit agreements, business receivables, student loans, and court judgments.

To collect a debt legally in Pennsylvania, a creditor usually must first obtain a money judgment—a court ruling that confirms the debt is valid and enforceable.

Once a judgment is entered, the creditor gains powerful legal tools to collect the money owed. These may include:

• Seizing bank accounts
• Placing liens on real estate
• Forcing sheriff sales of vehicles or personal property
• Garnishing funds owed to the debtor by third parties

Navigating this process effectively requires understanding Pennsylvania's debtor-friendly laws and county-specific rules for enforcing judgments. Our experienced attorneys help individuals and businesses enforce debt collection rights across all 67 counties in the state.

👉 Need help collecting a debt in Pennsylvania?
Contact our law firm for a free consultation today:
📞 412.802.6666 | 📧 info@pghfirm.com.

If you or your business is owed money in Pennsylvania, the legal process for collecting that debt typically involves three key steps:

Step 1: The Demand Letter (Optional)

While not legally required, a well-crafted demand letter is often the first step in the collection process. It informs the debtor of the amount owed, gives them a chance to dispute the debt or request verification, and sets a deadline for payment. A strong demand letter can sometimes avoid the need for litigation entirely.

Step 2: Filing a Debt Collection Lawsuit

If the debtor does not respond or refuses to pay, the next step is filing a civil lawsuit in the appropriate Pennsylvania court. This may be a magistrate, arbitration, or general docket case, depending on the amount owed and the complexity of the matter. If successful, the court will enter a money judgment against the debtor.

Step 3: Enforcing the Judgment

Obtaining a judgment is only part of the process. To collect the money, creditors often need to enforce the judgment. This may include:

• Garnishing or freezing bank accounts
• Levying and selling vehicles or personal/business property through sheriff’s sale
• Placing liens on real estate and pursuing foreclosure if appropriate

Because Pennsylvania law limits wage garnishment, enforcement strategies must be carefully selected by experienced attorneys who understand the nuances of judgment execution across the state’s 67 counties.

👉 If you're owed money in Pennsylvania, we can help.
Contact our experienced debt collection attorneys today for a free consultation:
📞 412.802.6666 | 📧 info@pghfirm.com.

The first step in collecting a debt in Pennsylvania is often a formal demand letter. While not legally required before filing a lawsuit, a well-drafted demand letter can be an effective, cost-efficient way to prompt payment and avoid litigation.

A proper debt collection demand letter must comply with both federal and Pennsylvania state debt collection laws. It typically includes:

• The name of the creditor
• The amount owed
• The debtor’s right to dispute the debt
• The debtor’s right to request written verification
• A deadline for payment or response

These notices help establish communication, clarify the debt, and sometimes allow for payment plans that can offset the cost of future litigation if necessary.

While sending a demand letter is not a prerequisite to filing a lawsuit, it often serves as a critical first step — especially in business-to-business collections or when dealing with out-of-state debtors.

👉 Need help drafting or sending a demand letter in Pennsylvania?
Let our experienced debt collection attorneys evaluate your case and take action to recover what you’re owed.
📞 Call 412.802.6666 or email info@pghfirm.com for a free consultation.

Collecting debt in Pennsylvania is a strategic legal process — and filing a civil lawsuit is often the essential first step.

To begin, a Complaint in Civil Action must be filed, requesting that the court enter judgment against the debtor (defendant). Until a judgment is obtained, the debtor is not legally obligated to pay.

If the debtor chooses to dispute the claim, they may file:

• An Answer denying the allegations
• Affirmative defenses (e.g., statute of limitations, payment, discharge)
• Or even a Counterclaim against the creditor

Where you file the lawsuit matters. Debt collection lawsuits in Pennsylvania can be filed in:

• Magisterial District Court (for claims up to $12,000)
• County Arbitration Division (typically up to $50,000, depending on county rules)
• Court of Common Pleas General Docket (for higher-value or complex claims)

Each level comes with different procedures and possible appeals that debtors can use to delay payment. This is why strategic decisions must be made about where and how to file, depending on the debtor’s assets and the likelihood of collection.

Even once a money judgment is entered, it does not guarantee payment — enforcement actions are often required to collect what is owed.

👉 Need to file a debt collection lawsuit in Pennsylvania? Contact our experienced litigation team. We will help you choose the best forum, move quickly, and pursue every available avenue to collect your debt.
📞 Call 412.802.6666 or email info@pghfirm.com for a free consultation.

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Winning a lawsuit and obtaining a money judgment is only half the battle — collecting the money is the ultimate goal.

In Pennsylvania, enforcing a judgment may require taking aggressive legal action against the debtor’s assets. Creditors can pursue:

• Sheriff sales of personal property, vehicles, or real estate
• Bank account garnishments
• Seizure of other non-exempt assets

While these tools are powerful, Pennsylvania is considered debtor-friendly — for example, marital property is generally protected, and wage garnishment is prohibited in most cases (except in certain landlord-tenant situations). This makes it even more important to work with an experienced Pennsylvania debt collection attorney.

👉 Want to collect what you're owed? Contact us for help enforcing your Pennsylvania judgment. We know how to find assets, seize accounts, and force payment when others can’t.
📞 Call 412.802.6666 or email info@pghfirm.com for a free consultation.

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In Pennsylvania, civil judgments are valid for five (5) years from the date they are entered. However, they can be revived repeatedly every five years to remain active and enforceable.

Additionally, judgments act as a lien against real estate owned by the debtor in the county where the judgment is recorded. This lien can remain in effect for up to 20 years—or even longer—if properly revived and maintained.

Failing to timely revive a judgment could result in losing your ability to enforce it. That’s why monitoring and timely revival are essential parts of successful debt recovery.

📞 Have a judgment you want to enforce or revive? Contact Flaherty Fardo at 412.802.6666 or email info@pghfirm.comfor a free consultation with our experienced Pennsylvania debt collection attorneys.

In Pennsylvania, most debt collection cases are based on a breach of contract—either written or oral. The statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit to collect a debt is four (4) years from the date the creditor knew or should have known about the breach.

Importantly, any partial payment made on the debt can toll (extend) the statute of limitations, restarting the four-year clock from the date of the last payment.

This means that even an old debt may still be collectible if the debtor recently made a payment or acknowledged the obligation.

💡 Tip: Waiting too long to collect a debt could result in it becoming time-barred. Once the statute of limitations has passed, courts may dismiss the case—even if the debt is legitimate.

📞 Unsure if your debt is still enforceable? Contact Flaherty Fardo at 412.802.6666 or email info@pghfirm.com for a free case review.

The truth is—there’s rarely a guaranteed answer until you try. Some debtors may appear to have limited resources, but still end up paying. Others who seem well-off may evade collection despite having assets.

That’s why patience, persistence, and strategy are the keys to successful debt recovery in Pennsylvania.

Before filing a lawsuit, it’s wise to conduct a pre-suit asset investigation, which may include:

• Searching for vehicles or real estate ownership
• Reviewing bank account information (if accessible legally)
• Using public databases like the PA Corporate Name Search
• Reviewing social media (Facebook, LinkedIn) for employment or lifestyle clues

Once a judgment is entered, collection options expand—allowing for potential bank account garnishment, property levies, or third-party garnishments. But knowing how much to spend on enforcement is a strategic call that experienced debt collection attorneys can help make.

At Flaherty Fardo, we assess every case individually, balancing cost, risk, and likelihood of recovery. With over two decades of Pennsylvania debt collection experience, we’ve recovered judgments others couldn’t.

📞 Want help evaluating your case? Contact us today at 412.802.6666 or email info@pghfirm.com for a free consultation.

Debt collectors in Pennsylvania can be either attorneys or non-attorney collection agencies. Most Pennsylvania debt collection attorneys offer flexible fee structures, including:

• Hourly rates
• Flat fees
• Contingency fees (you don’t pay unless we collect)

At Flaherty Fardo, we evaluate each case to determine the most cost-effective arrangement—sometimes offering contingency-based collection services when appropriate.

Contingency fees typically range from 25% to 50% of the amount recovered, depending on factors like the age, amount, and complexity of the debt. Many collection agencies charge clients 50% and then outsource the legal work to attorneys for half that—meaning clients can often recover more by hiring attorneys directly.

Before hiring a debt collection lawyer, ask about all three options—hourly, flat fee, and contingency—to find the best fit for your case and budget.

📞 Need help collecting a debt in Pennsylvania? Call us at 412.802.6666 or email info@pghfirm.com for a free consultation.

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Obtaining a judgment is only the first step in the debt collection process. The harder part is turning that judgment into actual recovery.

At Flaherty Fardo, LLC, we understand that a Pennsylvania judgment—especially a default judgment—is often just a piece of paper until it's enforced. We focus on executing judgments efficiently and strategically, with a deep knowledge of Pennsylvania's unique enforcement rules and limitations.

What Comes After Judgment?

Many attorneys can secure a judgment, but few know how to actually collect. Pennsylvania law provides limited but powerful options for creditors, and our firm routinely helps enforce judgments that others cannot.

We Help Creditors Enforce Judgments Through:

1. Garnishment and seizure of bank accounts
2. Garnishment of money owed from third parties (like rental income)
3. Sheriff levy and sale of vehicles
4. Sheriff levy and sale of personal or business property
5. Foreclosure of real property

Each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties has its own local execution rules, and understanding them is crucial to successful recovery. We evaluate each case individually to avoid wasting resources on unenforceable claims.

Why Experience Matters:

Pennsylvania does not allow wage garnishment in most debt cases (except limited landlord/tenant judgments). That’s why post-judgment discovery is often key. We use:

• Interrogatories and depositions in aid of execution
• Asset searches and private investigators
• Sheriff sales and lien enforcement

We also account for potential claims of exemption, marital property laws, and the risk of bankruptcy, tailoring our strategy accordingly.

Whether you’re a creditor holding a judgment from a Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court or a judgment entered by another state (foreign judgment), we can help enforce and collect on it.

📞 If you’ve already won a judgment but haven’t been paid, we can help.
Call Attorneys Noah Paul Fardo or Shawn T. Flaherty at 412.802.6666 or email info@pghfirm.com for a free consultation about enforcing your judgment anywhere in Pennsylvania.

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At Flaherty Fardo, LLC, we take great pride in our proven ability to collect debt throughout Pennsylvania—efficiently, strategically, and professionally. Since 1999, our Pittsburgh-based law firm has helped individuals, businesses, banks, and collection agencies recover money owed across a wide range of industries.

Our clients include:

• Individuals
• Corporations, LLCs, and partnerships
• Small business owners
• Banks and credit unions
• Mortgage lenders
• National and regional collection agencies

When traditional collection methods fail, agencies and businesses turn to us to get results.

We help creditors recover debts involving:

• Student loans and tuition debt
• Defaulted mortgages and promissory notes
• Commercial and consumer account receivables
• Money loaned between individuals
• Enforcement of Pennsylvania judgments

Our debt collection services span every stage of the process, including:

• Pre-litigation collections (demand letters, settlement outreach)
• Litigation (lawsuits and obtaining court judgments)
• Post-judgment enforcement (bank garnishments, repossession, sheriff sales)

We assess each situation to determine whether to pursue litigation or negotiation, always with the goal of maximizing your recovery as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

📞 Let our experienced Pennsylvania debt collection attorneys help you get paid.
Contact us today for a free consultation at 412.802.6666 or info@pghfirm.com.

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At Flaherty Fardo, we excel at locating assets and uncovering hidden financial resources to help clients collect what they’re owed. Our team uses advanced investigative tools and legal procedures to identify and pursue debtor assets across Pennsylvania.

We routinely:

• Perform asset investigations on individuals and businesses using proprietary databases
• Employ licensed private investigators to track down vehicles, real estate, and other personal property
• Locate and seize bank accounts via garnishment
• Coordinate lawful repossessions of vehicles and other secured collateral

When necessary, we don’t hesitate to file suit, obtain court judgments, and enforce them through aggressive post-judgment remedies. If a debtor is hiding assets or providing false information, we know how to uncover the truth—and act quickly.

We understand that not all debtors are the same. Some truly can’t pay, while others won’t. Knowing the difference—and how to respond strategically—is what sets us apart. We’re aggressive when needed and compassionate when appropriate, always keeping your best financial outcome in mind.

📞 Need help collecting a difficult debt?
Call 412.802.6666 or email info@pghfirm.com for a free consultation. Let us help you uncover assets and maximize your recovery.

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Yes. At Flaherty Fardo, we handle debt collection cases across all 67 counties in Pennsylvania. Whether your debtor is in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Erie, Harrisburg, or any rural county in between, our law firm has the experience, legal knowledge, and state-wide reach to pursue collections effectively.

We are intimately familiar with the local rules and procedures of every Pennsylvania county, ensuring efficient filings and enforcement for our clients without the need for multiple firms.

Our team is trusted by national banks, student loan agencies, financial institutions, and out-of-state law firms to manage their Pennsylvania collections because we deliver results—plain and simple.

We offer flexible fee structures depending on the specific facts:

• Contingency-based collections (no fee unless we recover)
• Hourly billing, when appropriate
• Flat fee agreements, tailored to the scope and strength of the claim

📞 Need statewide Pennsylvania debt collection counsel?
Call 412.802.6666 or email info@pghfirm.com for a free consultation.

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Yes. Flaherty Fardo, LLC routinely represents out-of-state clients, including law firms, collection agencies, banks, and lenders, in transferring and enforcing foreign judgments in Pennsylvania.

We have successfully worked with clients and attorneys across the United States—including Texas, California, Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia, Colorado, and Michigan—to domesticate and collect Pennsylvania debts.

As experienced Pennsylvania collection attorneys, we handle:

• Recording foreign (out-of-state) judgments in Pennsylvania
• Enforcing judgments against Pennsylvania debtors
• Renewing judgments every five years when necessary
• Locating assets and conducting post-judgment discovery

We also serve as general Pennsylvania counsel for national student loan agencies, banks, and mortgage servicers and have built a reputation for relentless, long-term advocacy in collection enforcement since 1999.

📞 Need help transferring a judgment to Pennsylvania or collecting a PA debt?
Call us at 412.802.6666 or email info@pghfirm.com for a free consultation.

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Yes. Our firm welcomes referral relationships and pays reasonable contingency referral fees to out-of-state attorneys and collection agencies who refer Pennsylvania debt collection matters.

We understand that when another law firm refers a client to us, they are placing their reputation on the line. That’s why we work hard to deliver strong results and maintain open, professional communication throughout the entire case.

We also believe strongly that referral sources should profit from their referrals. This approach has allowed us to build trusted relationships with law firms across the country and has generated numerous ongoing referrals for our Pittsburgh-based debt collection team.

🤝 We Make It Easy for Referring Attorneys:

• Contingent referral fees offered
• Free research of debtor assets before representation
• Clear communication and documentation
• No obligation consultation for potential cases

📞 Contact us today to discuss a referral arrangement or potential case.
Call 412.802.6666 or email info@pghfirm.com to speak with an attorney.

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Yes. At Flaherty Fardo Rogel & Amick, we offer free consultations for all Pennsylvania debt collection matters.

Whether you're a business owner, medical provider, landlord, or individual owed money, our team is available to provide honest, strategic guidance — at no cost — to help you decide if pursuing debt collection or litigation makes financial sense for your situation.

We understand that every debt collection case is unique. During your free consultation, our attorneys will:

• Review the details of the unpaid debt
• Explain how the Pennsylvania debt collection process works
• Evaluate whether a lawsuit or pre-litigation demand is appropriate
• Answer your questions about timelines, costs, and potential recovery
• Discuss your legal options for enforcing judgments or securing payment

Our goal is to help clients make informed decisions — not to pressure anyone into legal action. Sometimes the best advice we give during a consultation is that it may not be worth pursuing a claim.

With decades of experience collecting debts throughout Pennsylvania, we represent both commercial and consumer creditors in a wide range of industries, including:

• Healthcare and medical billing
• Construction and subcontractor disputes
• Lease and rental arrears
• Promissory notes and unpaid loans
• Business-to-business receivables

📞 Schedule a Free Debt Collection Consultation

We welcome all inquiries regarding potential collection matters. There’s no cost to speak with one of our attorneys.

• Call us at 412.802.6666
• Email info@pghfirm.com
• Or fill out our contact form to get started

If we believe we can help — and that it makes financial sense to proceed — we’ll discuss next steps and potential fee structures, including contingency-based or flat-fee arrangements when appropriate.

Let us help you get paid.

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