Hi, Deines. I second Connie's advice. Lawyer's will often not charge for an initial consultation. Or you may want to call your state or county legal service. Often, they will give you the advice you need so you can represent yourself. You will also need to negotiate payment of the debt with the party that is suing you. They just want to get paid, not ruin your life. If you contact them, you may be able to clear things up on the spot. They may give you more time to pay up. If contacting them is too much for you in your distressed state, you may want to ask a friend or family member to negotiate on your behalf. A lawyer or legal services can help you out here, too.