Long story short I got behind on payments to Sallie Mae, once I was able to make payments I already owed almost 3k back and the monthly payments were not enough to stop them from sending it to a collection agency. Well it sat at the collection agency for about a month and yesterday I get a letter from an attorney in a adjoining city. Here is what the letter says. Btw I live in Ohio.

Dear Sir/Madam:

I represent the above creditor in its claim against you. Please forward your check in payment to me in the amount of $15,153.91. If there is a problem, you should contact my paralegal, Name Witheld, to discuss it. I would appreciate a response to this letter as soon as possible. Nevertheless, you still have the right to dispute the validity of all or any part of the debt within 30 days as set forth in the Notice that follows.

Then it has the standard "This is an attempt to collect a debt"

My question is - what exactly is this? Is it a judgement? What do I do now? I would like to make payments but I am afraid at this point the attorney will not accept them and or he may want too much. I was injured and discharged from the military and took a job making $7 an hour that barely kept food on the table and couldnt make a payment for almost 1 year. I now work in law enforcement and can afford the regular payments which I started to make but couldnt afford the 3k lump payment that Sallie Mae wanted to keep it out of the collection agency. Also if this is or isnt a judgement is there anyway to setup payments aside from a wage garnishment? I dont think my employer being the sheriff would be very happy and it may cause me serious work problems.

I am in rehab right now with my Direct Loans but unfortunately I dont think that this is a possibilty with Sallie Mae since they sent it to this attorney.

Is this a private Sallie Mae loan?? Either way it sounds like you are in default.

You should be very concerned if this is a private loan. They sue. I would suggest you call ASAP.

Yes this is a private student loan from Sallie Mae. I have called twice and left messages and also emailed the attorney. I have gotten no response. Do I need to send some kind of dispute letter?

What would you be disputing???

I do remember one individual on this forum (I think) who defaulted on this private loans and is living in Ireland. They are pursuing him the the Irish Court System.

I am not disputing anything I owe the money i just dont know what to do now that I received this letter. Do I just wait until I am served court papers or what? My only concern at this point is once a judgement is received that they will garnish my pay. If a judgement is made is there another way to make payment aside from garnishment - I mean is that an option given to me??

Keep calling until you get through. I'd also get a letter out letting them know you've tried calling and have received no response, but that you are eager to work out a solution to take care of this.