A typical timeline
- Day 1: the claim is placed, assigned, and the debtor is notified.
- Days 1 to 21: direct collection. Daily phone contact, demand letters, skip tracing if needed, settlement negotiation, and dispute resolution. Many accounts resolve here.
- Day 22 onward: attorney involvement. The file goes to an attorney near the debtor for a demand on law firm letterhead and a legal case evaluation, while direct contact continues.
- Then your decision: close the case at no cost, or authorize litigation. Court timelines vary by jurisdiction and can add months.
What makes an account collect faster
- It is fresh. Accounts placed at 60 to 90 days past due are in the best window.
- The balance is accurate and documented.
- The debtor is reachable and the business is still operating.
- You stopped your own collection activity when you placed it, so the debtor hears one consistent message.
What slows it down
- Age. Once a debt passes a year old, collectability drops significantly.
- A debtor who moved, closed, or changed numbers, which means skip tracing first.
- A dispute over the goods, the services, or the balance.
- A debtor with no money or no assets, which can mean a recommendation to close.
- Litigation, which runs on the court's schedule.
When you get the money
Payments collected the 1st through the 15th are processed the 1st through the 5th of the following month. Payments collected the 16th through the 31st are processed the 16th through the 20th of the following month. Custom remittance schedules are available.
How to speed things up
Place accounts early. Send documentation when we ask for it. Report any direct payment immediately. Stop in-house contact once the account is placed. And give us accurate contact information, which saves the skip tracing step.
Common follow-up questions
Why did my account go to an attorney?
Because direct collection did not resolve it in the first phase. A formal demand from a law firm in the debtor's area can change the direction of an account. The move happens without any extra step from you, and a lawsuit is filed only with your authorization.
Will you tell me if an account is unlikely to collect?
Yes. If the facts, the available assets, or the overall recovery potential do not support further action, we recommend closing the case at no cost to you.
Can I check the status of my accounts without calling?
Yes. Every client has 24/7 online access to every account placed with us.
Talk to us
Tell us about the accounts and we put together a free assessment, usually within one business day. Request a free consultation, contact us, or call 321-710-3530. Ready now? Place a claim and we go to work today. No recovery, no fee.