When Truist Bank files a Texas debt suit, your next steps are straightforward: confirm the court type to calculate the exact Answer date, submit an Answer before that deadline to prevent default, and compare Truist’s claim to your records while considering negotiation, mediation, or arbitration.
Have you been served with a Truist Bank lawsuit over an unpaid debt in Texas? Truist Bank may file a lawsuit to recover money it alleges you owe for a defaulted credit card, loan, or line of credit. Facing a debt collection lawsuit can feel overwhelming, but it is important to understand that you have legal rights and options to resolve it. In the article below, our Texas debt collection defense lawyers discuss what to know about Truist Bank and what to do if sued by Truist Bank for debt collection.
Quick Answer: How do I respond to a Truist Bank lawsuit in Texas?
Texas Answer deadlines are short—14 days in justice court or Monday after 20 days in county/district—so respond immediately: file an Answer, verify the claim, and plan defenses.
- Calendar your exact Answer deadline
- File an Answer to avoid default
- Review records; request validation or arbitration
Truist describes itself as a top-10 U.S. commercial bank by assets. (Truist ‘Fast Facts’) Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, it was formed in 2019 through the merger of Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T) and SunTrust Banks. Over the years, Truist has faced multiple legal and regulatory challenges, including fines for poor recordkeeping, a settlement for robocall violations, and lawsuits related to data breaches and employee poaching. These challenges include alleged violations of federal and state laws, with liability often disputed or settled without admission. Companies like Truist face increased scrutiny over their administration of accounts and their connection to regulatory compliance.
The bank operates branches in 17 states and Washington, D.C., offering financial services to individuals, small businesses, and institutions. Its personal banking offerings include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, loans, lines of credit, and investment services.
Truist also does business as LightStream. LightStream is its online, unsecured lending division. According to its website, LightStream offers fixed-rate loans “for purchases that had previously required collateral, or that fall into categories where few or no loan options exist,” such as for vehicles and boats, home improvement, and jewelry. In 2024, U.S. regulators—including the SEC and CFTC—announced penalties against multiple firms, including Truist affiliates, for recordkeeping failures related to off-channel employee communications. A pending robocall class action alleges violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act; settlement approval proceedings are ongoing.
The merger between BB&T and SunTrust also brought together their trust account services, making the administration of trust accounts a key responsibility for Truist. The intended purpose of trust account administration is to protect beneficiaries and ensure proper disbursement, making it essential for the bank to maintain proper relationships and connections with its clients.
Need-to-Know Highlights
- Texas Answer deadlines: 14 days or Monday after 20 days.
- Filing an Answer prevents default and preserves defenses.
- Verify the debt; demand accurate records and ownership.
- Consider settlement, mediation, or arbitration early.
Why Is Truist Bank Suing Me?
If Truist Bank is suing you, it is likely alleging you owe it an unpaid debt. This debt may come from a credit card, loan, or line of credit. Truist may pursue the debt through legal action if other collection efforts, like phone calls and letters, fail. In such lawsuits, Truist Bank is the plaintiff, initiating the legal action, and the individual being sued is the defendant.
The parties to the lawsuit typically include Truist Bank, as the plaintiff, and the individual debtor, as the defendant. Truist generally hires debt collection law firms to handle legal action on its behalf. It often retains outside debt collection counsel to handle Texas cases.
3 Steps to Take Right Away If Truist Bank Is Suing You for Debt Collection in Texas
Have you been served with a lawsuit from Truist Bank? If so, it is critical to act quickly to protect your legal rights. We recommend taking the following steps:
1. Consult With a Texas Debt Collection Defense Lawyer
If Truist Bank is suing you for debt collection, we recommend contacting an experienced Texas debt defense lawyer. At Warren & Migliaccio, we provide a free, no-obligation consultation to individuals and families sued for debt collection in Texas.
During a free consultation, we will review the claims against you and help you understand the lawsuit you face. We can discuss your situation, evaluate whether the bank’s claim is legitimate, assess your defenses, and help you understand your potential legal options for resolving the lawsuit. If you decide to work with us, we will represent and defend you throughout the legal process.
2. File an Answer to the Lawsuit
If you decide to work with an attorney, they will handle this step for you. However, if you plan to represent yourself, you should draft and file a formal response to the lawsuit. This response is called an Answer. In your Answer, you should address each allegation made by Truist Bank and highlight any legal defenses you have to the lawsuit.
In Texas, Answers are due on or before day 14 in justice court (Tex. R. Civ. P. 502.5) and at 10:00 a.m. on the Monday next following 20 days after service in county or district court (Tex. R. Civ. P. 99(b)). The lawsuit papers you were served with should tell you the deadline.
Failing to respond by the deadline may result in a default judgment against you. In this case, a default judgment means Truist automatically wins. If Truist gets a default judgment against you, it can pursue further legal action to collect the debt, like bank garnishment or property liens.
3. Verify the Debt
Because Truist Bank is an original creditor, you should be able to review your records to assess the debt’s validity. Examine your credit card, loan, or line of credit contract and your account statements, and compare them to Truist’s claims against you. Do you recognize the debt? Is the debt amount accurate?
If you do not have an account with Truist, do not recognize the debt, or have doubts about whether the debt is yours, you have the legal right to request debt validation from Truist Bank. Truist must prove that you owe the debt, the debt amount is correct, and that it has the legal right to collect. You may have grounds for case dismissal if it lacks sufficient evidence. Truist Bank is also settling allegations under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
A pending TCPA class action, Truong v. Truist Bank, alleges Truist used prerecorded calls to cell phones without proper consent. See Truong v. Truist Bank, No. 3:23-cv-00079 (W.D.N.C.). (preliminary settlement approval granted; final approval hearing currently set for Oct. 16, 2025)
Facing a Truist Bank lawsuit in Texas? Learn the essential steps to protect your rights and defend yourself.
Case Study: Compelling Arbitration to Halt a Truist Lawsuit
The Problem: A Texas client walked in panicked after being served by Truist in county court. Her citation clearly said her Answer was due by 10:00 a.m. on the Monday after 20 days from service. When we compared her statements to Truist’s claim, several late fees didn’t match her actual payment history, which added to her stress and confusion.
The Action: We filed her Answer right away to prevent a default. Then we pulled the card agreement and found a binding arbitration clause. We prepared a motion to compel arbitration and to pause the court case, attaching the agreement and a sworn declaration, and we started an arbitration filing with the administrator named in the contract. While the motion was pending, we requested the full account history and opened settlement talks.
The Result: The judge granted our motion and stayed the lawsuit. Facing arbitration costs and rules, Truist agreed to a confidential settlement for a small fraction of the claim. The case was dismissed with prejudice—no judgment, no account freeze.
The Takeaway: Act fast: calendar your deadline, file an Answer, and check your contract for arbitration. Moving the case out of court can shift leverage and lead to better results.
How a Texas Debt Defense Lawyer Can Help You
Is Truist Bank or any other creditor or debt collector suing you? If so, having an experienced Texas debt collection defense lawyer on your side can significantly affect your case’s outcome.
A debt defense attorney will represent and defend you throughout the legal process, working to obtain the best possible results for your case. For example, a few ways an attorney can help you include:
- Helping you avoid a default judgment by drafting and filing an Answer to the lawsuit
- Requesting debt validation from Truist Bank to determine whether it has a legitimate lawsuit against you
- Investigating the allegations against you to identify legal defenses
- Helping you understand your legal options so you can make an informed decision about your case
- Developing a legal strategy for your case
- Executing the best course of action for your case, which may include seeking a case dismissal, negotiating a settlement, fighting the case in court, or exploring bankruptcy if your financial situation is dire
FAQs about Deadlines & Court Basics
How long do I have to respond to a Truist Bank lawsuit in Texas?
1. Check your citation for court type
2. Calendar the exact due date
3. File an Answer before the deadline
What happens if I ignore a Truist Bank lawsuit?
1. Note your Answer deadline
2. File before the cutoff
3. Explore settlement or arbitration
Should I hire a Texas debt defense lawyer or go it alone?
1. Get a case review early
2. Map defenses and timelines
3. Choose court or arbitration path
FAQs about Garnishment, Judgments & Enforcement
Can Truist garnish my wages or bank account in Texas?
1. File an Answer promptly
2. Assert exemptions if applicable
3. Consider settlement or arbitration
Can Truist freeze my bank account without a judgment in Texas?
1. Monitor the case status
2. Assert exemptions quickly
3. Move to dissolve improper garnishment
FAQs about Limitations & Defenses
What is the statute of limitations on credit card debt in Texas?
1. Identify the alleged default date
2. Gather statements and notices
3. Plead limitations in your Answer
What defenses work against a Truist Bank credit card lawsuit?
1. Demand complete account history
2. Review service of process
3. Evaluate limitations and standing
What evidence does Truist need to win in court?
1. Request a complete ledger
2. Compare balances and fees
3. Flag missing agreements
Can Truist sue me if the debt was sold to a debt buyer?
1. Ask for the assignment documents
2. Compare records to your statements
3. Challenge standing if proof is lacking
FAQs about Arbitration & Settlement Options
Can I force arbitration against Truist or LightStream?
1. Locate your card or loan agreement
2. Confirm an arbitration provision
3. Move to compel under the contract
Will Truist agree to a settlement or payment plan?
1. Respond to the lawsuit first
2. Propose realistic terms
3. Insist on written dismissal terms
FAQs about Consumer Protection & Bankruptcy
Does the FDCPA apply to Truist as the original creditor?
1. Identify who is contacting you
2. Document all communications
3. Save letters, emails, and call logs
Will bankruptcy stop a Truist lawsuit?
1. Evaluate Chapter 7 vs. 13
2. Time the filing to protect assets
3. Preserve evidence and creditor notices
Discuss Your Situation With Our Debt Defense Attorneys
At Warren & Migliaccio, we represent and defend individuals and families facing debt collection lawsuits throughout the state of Texas. We have extensive experience and success going up against the nation’s largest creditors and debt collectors. If you are facing a Truist Bank lawsuit, we are here to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your situation. Notably, a class-action lawsuit filed in June 2024 alleges a data breach affecting employee personal information; litigation is ongoing.
Do not hesitate to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will review the claims against you, help you understand your situation, and discuss your legal options. Call us at (888) 584-9614 or fill out our online contact form, and we will contact you soon to schedule your free consultation.
