Gurstel Law Firm is a law firm that specializes in debt collection litigation and judgment enforcement on behalf of creditors, debt buyers, and financial institutions. They are often retained when an account has moved beyond standard collection efforts and requires legal escalation. Gurstel Law Firm may file lawsuits to obtain judgments, which can lead to remedies such as wage garnishment, bank account levies, or property liens where allowed by state law. In addition to litigation, they may attempt to resolve debts before court through settlement negotiations or payment agreements. Their clients include national banks, credit card issuers, commercial lenders, and debt purchasers.

Before doing anything else, confirm that the debt is accurate. Start by asking:

• Is the debt actually yours?
• Is the amount they claim correct?
• Is the debt still legally collectible (within the statute of limitations)?

Debt collectors don’t always have complete or up-to-date records. If you spot anything incorrect, you can dispute the debt. Relief Protect can help with this process by connecting you to a licensed local attorney who will:

• Assistance with preparing an answer to the lawsuit
• Provide instructions for filing the answer
• Provide you discounted representation
• Review your case for FDCPA/TCPA violations

If the collector violated your rights, you may even have legal grounds to fight back.

If the debt is valid and you’re in a position to resolve it, you may be able to pay less than the full amount owed. That’s where Relief Reduction comes in. It’s designed to help you take control of the situation—without the endless back-and-forth or pressure tactics of traditional settlement approaches.

With Relief Reduction, you can:

• Secure a lower payoff amount 
• Avoid the stress of phone calls and negotiations
• Submit your request automatically within minutes, right through the Relief app
• Money-back guarantee if you don’t receive an accepted request

We’ve seen users save between 35% and 60% off their original balance, sometimes even more. But it all depends on your creditor and your circumstances. The process is fully automated and self-guided, meaning you stay in control at every step. We work directly with your creditor to present a strong, data-backed offer that increases your chances of approval.

Why does this work? 

Because even collectors often purchase debt for a fraction of what was originally owed. That means they have flexibility to accept less than the full balance and still make a profit. A well-structured offer is far more appealing to them than risking a lawsuit that might be dismissed or waiting on money that may never come.

Ultimately, getting something is better than getting nothing. Settlement offers give both parties a clean resolution: you pay less, and they close the account and move on.

Settling your debt not only saves you money, but also helps close the chapter so you can start rebuilding your credit and move forward without the constant stress of collections.

If you have a lawsuit against you, the worst thing you can do is ignore it. Once you're officially served with court documents—a summons and complaint—you’re on the clock. Most courts give you just 14–30 days to respond, depending on your state.

A summons notifies you of the lawsuit and includes key details like:

• The name and location of the court
• The names of both parties
• Your case number
• Deadlines for your response

A complaint outlines what the creditor is claiming, often in numbered paragraphs. Together, these documents kick off the legal process, and the clock starts ticking.

If you ignore the summons, the judge may issue a default judgment, giving the your lender legal right to:

• Garnish your wages
• Freeze your bank accounts
• Add court fees and legal costs to your debt

This is why filing a response is critical. And with Relief Protect, you don’t have to do it on your own.

Here’s how Relief Protect helps you fight back:

• A licensed attorney will read through your summons and complaint
• They’ll assist you with filing your legal response with the court—fast and correctly
• They’ll provide instructions for filing the answer
• They’ll also check for any violations of your consumer rights under the FDCPA or TCPA

This not only protects you from default judgment, but also will provide you the option to still settle the debt—often for less than the full amount.

Many people don’t realize they can still negotiate after a lawsuit has been filed. Filing an answer can provide additional time to negotiate the debt and avoid a default judgement.

Whether you're looking to settle your debt or defend against a lawsuit, Relief gives you the tools to take action without the stress, guesswork, or endless phone calls.

• Use Relief Reduction to request savings on what you owe
• Add Relief Protect if you’ve been sued or need legal backup
• Check your eligibility in minutes and take the first step toward resolving your debt

No paperwork. No pressure. Just a smarter way to deal with collections.