Common FAQs
Get Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Debt Collection Services, Collection Attorneys for Commercial Debt Collections, and Legal services.
Our customer service manager, Gina Scott, works closely with the attorneys and collectors and will provide account statuses as your case progresses towards payment. Feel free to contact Gina for updates at any time. Gina’s email is
Do you collect in all 50 states?
Yes. As a quick summary, we collect slow-pay & no-pay receivables faster and for less in all 50 states (and select international countries) using attorney pressure on a 100% contingent basis so you can enjoy more revenue and get back to business. If we don’t collect, you pay NOTHING!
What balances do you accept for collections?
We only accept claims $10,000 and over. Our legal pressure and attorney process are not effective under $10k. We use legal pressure (vs. agency pressure) and the top collection attorneys in the country. Our strategy is to prepare for suit then work backwards to avoid it, addressing debtor allegations and issues aggressively as they relate to the contract. Our three step process is: In-house Collection Attorney, Pre-Suit Attorney in debtor’s venue, finally Collection Lawsuit by the same attorney in debtor’s venue after our suit analysis to justify. See https://stevensricci.com/debt-collection-process/collection-suit-analysis/
How do I assign an account for collections?
Choose from the following:
- Online Form: Click this link to place an account, then fill out the sections for Your Information and Debtor Information, and attach your supporting documents as per list.
- Manual Placement: print our Account Placement Form then email, fax, or mail along with supporting documents to:
Email to:
Fax to: 520-546-1062
Mail to: Stevens & Ricci, Inc, 7739 E Broadway Blvd Suite 220, Tucson AZ 85710
Call Legal Desk at 888-722-1611
What supporting documents are required to get started?
*Contract or Purchase Order
*Account Statement or Ledger History
*Open invoices
*Last email communication between the parties
*Points of contact w/cell phone, landline & email addresses for the folks you were communicating with
*Usage reports, proof of delivery, etc. which tie into the unpaid invoices
*Brief summary or backstory relevant to unpaid invoices
Do we sign a contract to start using your collection and legal services?
We have a standard Collection Agreement to represent you in the collection of your receivable(s) on a contingent basis. It defines our relationship, confirms the contingent rate, guarantees you will receive a statement within 30 days following the month in which we collect, spells out our cancellation policy, states that a debtor suit will not be filed without client authorization, and that we will comply with all federal, state, local or foreign laws and statutes.
Are there any costs, fees, or minimums?
We work at a fixed contingent rate. If we can’t collect, there is no cost or fee whatsoever. If we recommend a lawsuit, there is no charge for the analysis and our litigation attorneys charge only a small fee for filing costs and a process server as they earn their money on the contingent percentage AFTER collecting.
What are your rates?
Our fees are only due after we collect (No Collection – No Fee) and are as follows:
- 20% – U.S. accounts > $10,000 assigned up to 120 days from oldest invoice
- 25% – U.S. accounts > $10,000 assigned up to 121 – 180 days from oldest invoice
- 30% – U.S. accounts > $10,000 assigned up to 181 – 730 days from oldest invoice
- 35% – International accounts > $10,000
Note: We pursue fees and interest from the debtor also – and often collect them for our clients. This will either lower your rate or eliminate the fee altogether. Learn more about debt collection attorney fees at https://stevensricci.com/recovering-debt-collection-attorney-fees-in-your-commercial-lawsuit-the-facts/
What is your process used to collect?
Level 1: In-House Collection Attorney
Pre-Litigation Recovery Division – your account is assigned to any one or combination of the following: in-house collection attorney, legal coordinator, paralegal collector, collection negotiator, field investigator, asset locator. Our Legal Desk attorney will represent you as collection counsel vs. your debtor. The first step – a formal attorney demand letter delivered to your debtor and/or their attorney for not only the principal amount, but FULL interest and collection fees (per your agreement) to lower your cost.
Level 2: Pre-Suit Attorney
Legal Desk Attorney in debtor’s venue – for pre-suit collection efforts (formal legal demand, phone calls, draft suit presentation, negotiations, payment plan, etc.). Contingent rate is 35%, no costs or fees. If we don’t collect, you pay NOTHING! Client approval required via return email response. Note: If the debtor is determined to have the ability to pay but not the willingness to do so, a Level 4 suit recommendation will be made to the creditor.
Level 3: Collection Lawsuit
Commercial Claims Filing Division – same Legal Desk Attorney as in Level 3 for lawsuit after our detailed analysis and recommendation. Minimal upfront court costs required; contingent rate remains at 35%. Includes post-judgment collection if necessary. Client approval required.
What if the debtor makes contact with us after we have placed it with you?
It’s not uncommon for a debtor to contact the client directly instead of the agency collector or attorney. If this happens, do not make any arrangements with the debtor. Costs will be expended, and we may lose our right to collect them from debtor if you re-enter the process. In addition, an acceptance of a payment may result in giving the debtor a free pass on paying fees and interest. We suggest you say something like: “The matter is out of our hands at this point, please call Stevens & Ricci directly”. If you receive a check from the debtor, email or fax a copy of the check to our office for electronic processing.
How do I receive updates on our accounts placed with you for collection?
We keep you updated at every step along the way. Here is a typical scenario:
- Account confirmation emailed to you after receiving a new account for collections.
- Notice emailed to you that investigator contact (pressure point) is underway vs. your debtor.
- Phone call or email to you from our collection attorney or negotiator to report a payment offer.
- Payment notification emailed after we have received payment on your account from debtor.
- Payment Detail Report emailed to you outlining the remittance proceeds being paid to you.
- If an account is not collected pre-suit and not suitworthy as determined by our proprietary analysis, you will receive a closure notice recommending bad debt write-off.
- If an account is not collected pre-suit, you will receive our suit recommendation letter for Level 3 action after our proprietary suit analysis.
- For Level 3 lawsuit cases, you will receive event notices and documents to sign throughout the case. For example: Affidavit to sign, suit prep and court filing notices, process server status, debtor complaint answer/default status, debtor offers/payments, post judgment remedies, etc.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us by phone or email.
When can I expect my payment after our debtor remits payment to you?
We pay clients once a month on the 1st for the prior month collection receipts. For earlier client remittance, simply request an immediate manual payment and we’ll remit funds to you after verifying funds have cleared the debtor’s bank.
