Find the best debt collection agency in General Santos
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How to collect an unpaid invoice from a debtor in General Santos?
If you require assistance with recovering a debt in General Santos, Philippines, read on! This guide has all the information you need to regain what's yours. Fill in our form to receive three free quotes from local debt collection agencies or lawyers in the area within two days!
Overview of the debt collection process in General Santos
The debt collection process in General Santos is customized to fit the specific needs of each claim and debtor. We first thoroughly analyze the case to determine the size of the claim, type of debtor and other factors. This informs our tailored collection efforts, which are designed to optimize the recovery rate.
The image below explains our standard framework for collecting debt in General Santos:
Step 1: Find a local collection agency or attorney
Send your claim to Debitura, and you'll get 3 offers from companies in General Santos that are eager to assist in the collection of your debt.
Step 2: Pre-legal collections
We reach out to debitors in General Santos on your behalf through emails, SMS, and other communication forms with the hopes of getting them to acknowledge and come up with a payment plan. If the money is able to be retrieved, you are to pay only a minor success fee. Working with us at Debitura comes with no risk in the initial collection phase!
Step 3: Evaluation:
If you have gone through the pre-legal steps and have not received payment from the debtor, it is time for you to analyse what should be done next. We can consider the value of your claim, the prospect of obtaining payment, and the local legal environment in General Santos to direct you to the best course of action. Three usual further measures are available in the Philippines:
Step A: Surveillance:
When the amount of your claim is less than 5000$, it usually is not worth it to continue pursuing a legal remedy. Therefore, we suggest debt surveillance, which is an intermediary stage between pre-legal and legal, to reach out and try to form an amicable agreement with your debtor. Should anything change, we will inform you and provide a course of action.
Step B: Legal collections:
We suggest initiating legal action if your claim is more than the usual amount of 5,000$. This amount is based on the debtor's capacity to pay and other conditions. The steps to follow in the legal proceedings may vary according to the claim, including if the debtor has come forward in opposition or ignored any pre-legal correspondence. The amount of the claim also plays a part in the method of legal collection used. In the case of more modest claims, a less complicated legal process can be enacted. Generally, the legal collection process may be ongoing for a period of from twelve to eighteen months, with a flat fee sometimes necessary to cover the lawyers expenses. Quality and cost of legal services may vary greatly, and it is best to obtain various quotes from debt collection lawyers in your area for comparison.
Step C: Debt enforcement:
If you have either accepted the debtor's agreement to your claim or have a judiciary ruling, you can employ the bailiff's court to realize your claim. This normally requires 12-18 months in General Santos, and mostly, you should pay a legally specified tax to the courts and lawyer's fees to your debt collection lawyer. This cost alters according to the magnitude of your claim. To acquire an exact number, simply enter your claim in Debitura.
Pre-legal debt collection in General Santos
Pre-legal debt collection is an important part of the debt collection process. It involves the collection efforts taken before the courts get involved and can also be known as 'amicable collection'. Starting with pre-legal collections is recommended unless the debtor has disputed the debt, as there are advantages including maintaining a good relationship with the debtor, a faster process, and no financial risk as no upfront fee has to be paid - usually just a success fee if the debt is collected successfully.
When it comes to debt collection, there are two options to consider. The first is first-party collections, where you manage the pre-legal collection process yourself. Alternatively, third-party collections involve getting the help of an external debt collection agency. A firm that is experienced with the laws and customs of the local area will offer the best chance of a successful outcome. Therefore, it pays to ensure that you select the right one.
Being consistent in follow-up communications
Making a clear and feasible payment plan the debtor can agree to
In General Santos, pre-legal debt collection typically involves assessing the debt and the debtor by a collection agency. Agencies will reach out to the debtor in hopes of an amicable solution. They may send reminders and follow-up communication over various channels. It is paramount that these communication channels are used within the legal boundaries established by the Filipino law and documentation of all communication is kept. The goal throughout the amicable process is to reach a full payment, a payment plan, or a settlement. By following a few best practices such as respecting the rights of both parties, maintaining professional communication, and staying within the law, amicable debt collection can go more smoothly.
The interest rate you can charge and the late payment fees will depend on the principal amount of your claim. However, the amounts are not insignificant, and you may be able to add up to 20% extra to your principal amount.
Debitura are experienced and compliant professionals and we adhere strictly to the Philippine debt collection regulations and civil law. We can guarantee you will receive the extra return you deserve.
Legal debt collection in General Santos
After the initial court hearing, enforcement proceedings will follow at the local enforcement office.
If your unpaid claim totals over 5,000 USD, it might be time to consider taking legal action against the debtor. Amicable phase negotiations have likely proven unsuccessful, or perhaps the debtor has disputed the claim. Legal debt collection is a lengthy and expensive process. After filing your case in court, you'll need to move on to enforcement proceedings at the local enforcement office. Results can be difficult to predict, but in general, legal debt collection is the best way to guarantee successful repayment. Keep in mind, however, that for small debts the cost of taking legal action may be higher than the collected amount. Weigh up which would be the preferable resolution for your situation.
Need assistance with legal debt collection in General Santos? Let Debitura help you. We will provide you with 3 free quotes from local debt collection attorneys. Comparing quotes is easy, allowing you to quickly understand the cost and legal steps involved. Make debt collection simpler with Debitura.
Our local partner will initiate contact with your debtor in order to attempt to establish a payment plan. Should this fail, legal procedures for your claim's size, Following civil law in the Philippines, can follow, including litigation, enforcement of debt, mediation, or bankruptcy. These processes are expected to take between 1-1.5 years.
Cost of debt collection in General Santos
Average success fee for pre-legal debt collection in General Santos
If you are looking for debt collection in General Santos, the cost may depend on the amount of the claim and the stage of the debt collection process. It is typically common to pay a success fee if the debt is recovered successfully. These success fees are typically set according to the amount of your claim.
Hourly rate for legal-debt collection services in General Santos
The cost for legally collecting a debt in General Santos is based on the size of the claim and the complexity of your case. There are two main components: court fees and payment for the legal assistance of an attorney or debt collection agency. Court fees depend on the size of the claim, while hourly rate of an attorney or debt collection agency depends on the complexity of the claim and how many hours are needed to resolve it. The average hourly rate for debt collection attorneys in General Santos is listed in a table.
General Santos city risk profile
We have examined General Santos's critical financial data and extrapolated a risk assessment. You can use this analysis to classify your payment terms and manage your risk when trading with customers in General Santos.
Our analysis has shown that the risk of doing business in General Santos is medium-low.
Based on this medium-low score, we recommend being careful providing credit and considering charging upfront payment or using credit insurance when trading if you don't know the customer in General Santos well. If possible, provide a short credit period or even better upfront payment.
The medium-low risk score is based on the following factors:
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Economic risk in General Santos
The economy of Philippines has been steadily growing, with its GDP currently standing at 394.09 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 5.7% per year. The country is considered to have a large economy due to its rank of #37 out of 183 countries and its fast-growing rate of #66. GDP per capita is 3548.83 USD, giving the citizens an average purchasing power compared to the rest of the world. The monetary key performance indicator of inflation is also low, being 3.9%. With these factors in mind, the economic risk of the Philippines is medium, remaining only slightly above the low status of other Asian countries.
Business risk in General Santos
Business activity in General Santos, Philippines is rated as medium-high risk. The World Bank's "Doing Business" study designates the city with an overall economic freedom score of 64 out of a possible 100, while ratings for property rights, freedom from corruption, fiscal freedom, business freedom, and monetary freedom are 57, 41, 77, 58, and 68.7, respectively. Most concerning is the low score of 57 assigned to property rights; this indicates less protection against theft or confiscation. Additionally, the business freedom index of 58 is lower in comparison with other cities in the area. To reduce risk, extra caution should be taken in business dealings and appropriate preventative methods should be employed.
Political risk in General Santos
When transacting in General Santos, a city in the Philippines, it is important to keep in mind the medium-high political risk in the country. The rule of law index -0.64, government effectiveness index 0.07, control of corruption -0.51, and political stability index -0.93 are key indicators that add to the existing corruption levels and large shadow economy (28.04% of GDP). To mitigate the risks to businesses, it is greatly recommended to demand upfront payments instead of credits. Acknowledging the political risks, businesses can take the necessary steps to ensure that full payment is provided before any goods or services are rendered, or at least have a legitimate issue resolution plan in place.
Commercial risk in General Santos
General Santos in the Philippines presents a low commercial risk score of 2/4 according to a respected model. This score is inline with the low risk average seen in associated Asian countries. Global trading is key to this score, with exports at 25.74% of GDP, annual growth at 7.97% and imports of goods and services representing 37.76% of GDP. The negatively impacted trade balance of -12.02 shines a light on the country's economic struggle, with A foreign exchange reserve of 108.75 bn. USD a slight comfort. Commercial risk may seem low in comparison to other countries, but proactive management is needed to keep the economy flourishing.
Financial risk in General Santos
With a low financing risk score relative to other countries across Asia, General Santos in the Philippines appears to be a relatively stable area. Its banking system efficiency and stability are at a medium-high level due to a credit information sharing index of 7 on a scale from 0 to 8. This makes it easy for creditors to understand and assess the creditworthiness of customers. Despite this, the juridical rights of creditors are very weak with a score of 1 out of 12. As such, it is important for businesses looking to enter the General Santos market to undertake thorough credit risk assessments.
Looking for more detailed information? Then have a look at our country guide.
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