Attorney Involvement

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Overview

DebtRecoup provides dedicated attorney management functionality to properly handle accounts where a debtor has retained legal representation. When a debtor is represented by an attorney, all communications must be directed to the attorney rather than the debtor directly. This feature ensures your agency maintains compliance with federal regulations while keeping accurate records of attorney contact information.

Key Benefits

• Compliance Protection: Automatically route communications to the attorney when required
• Centralized Information: Store all attorney contact details in one location
• Direct Communication: Initiate calls to attorney phone numbers with click-to-call functionality
• Clear Documentation: Maintain accurate records of legal representation for audit purposes
• Communication Control: Toggle all communications to the attorney with a single setting

Understanding Your Data

Attorney Information Fields

Field	Description
Name	Full name of the attorney representing the debtor
All Communications to Attorney	Toggle that routes all account communications through the attorney
Address	Primary street address of the attorney's office
Address 2	Suite number, floor, or additional address details
City	City where the attorney's office is located
State	State where the attorney's office is located
Zip	Postal code for the attorney's office
Email	Attorney's email address for electronic communications
Primary Number	Main phone number for reaching the attorney
Secondary Number	Alternate phone number for the attorney

Communication Settings

The All Communications to Attorney toggle is a critical compliance feature:

• Enabled: All letters, calls, and electronic communications are directed to the attorney
• Disabled: Communications follow standard debtor contact procedures

When this toggle is enabled, the system automatically:

• Routes correspondence to the attorney's address
• Directs email communications to the attorney's email
• Flags the account for attorney-only contact

Using This Feature

Recording Attorney Information

1. Navigate to the account's Attorney section
2. Click the Add button to create a new attorney record
3. Enter the attorney's name in the Name field
4. Enable All Communications to Attorney if required
5. Complete the address fields with the attorney's office location
6. Enter the attorney's email address
7. Add primary and secondary phone numbers
8. Click Save to store the attorney information

Editing Attorney Details

1. Open the account's Attorney section
2. Click the Edit button
3. Update any fields that have changed
4. Click Save to apply changes

Calling the Attorney

To initiate a call to the attorney:

1. Locate the phone number you wish to dial (Primary or Secondary)
2. Click the phone button next to the number
3. The call dialog opens to initiate the call
4. Document the call outcome in the account notes

Removing Attorney Information

If a debtor is no longer represented by an attorney:

1. Click the Edit button
2. Use the remove option in the attorney dialog
3. Confirm the removal
4. Update account notes to document the change in representation

Compliance Considerations

FDCPA Requirements

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) has specific requirements for attorney-represented debtors:

Direct Contact Prohibition:

• Once you know a debtor has an attorney, you generally cannot contact the debtor directly
• All communications must go through the attorney
• Violations can result in statutory damages and lawsuits

Documentation Requirements:

• Record how you learned of the attorney representation
• Maintain accurate attorney contact information
• Document all attempts to contact the attorney
• Keep records of attorney responses and communications

Exceptions:

• You may contact the debtor if the attorney fails to respond within a reasonable time
• The attorney may consent to direct debtor contact in writing
• Document any exceptions thoroughly

Best Practices for Compliance

1. Immediate Action: Enable the communication toggle as soon as attorney representation is confirmed
2. Verify Information: Confirm attorney details through official sources when possible
3. Document Everything: Note when and how attorney representation was disclosed
4. Train Staff: Ensure all collectors understand attorney contact restrictions
5. Regular Audits: Review attorney-represented accounts for compliance

Best Practices

Data Entry

• Enter complete attorney information including all phone numbers
• Use the attorney's official business address, not personal addresses
• Verify email addresses before sending communications
• Keep information current as attorneys may change firms

Communication Management

• Always use the communication toggle when attorney representation is confirmed
• Document all contact attempts with the attorney
• Note any instructions or restrictions from the attorney
• Track response times for escalation purposes

Record Keeping

• Save copies of attorney correspondence
• Document verbal communications with detailed notes
• Record dates of all attorney interactions
• Maintain a clear timeline of representation

Workflow Recommendations

• Create alerts for attorney response deadlines
• Schedule follow-ups when awaiting attorney replies
• Escalate non-responsive attorney matters to supervisors
• Review attorney accounts regularly for status updates

Related Topics

• Notes and Alerts - Documenting attorney communications
• Email Communication - Sending emails to attorneys
• Call Dispositions - Recording attorney call outcomes