Debt collection by the firm of Prof. Dr. Martin –
turning invoices into payments.
Outstanding invoices are a drain on liquidity and nerves. We pursue your claims consistently – from the solicitor's letter of demand through the court dunning procedure to litigation and enforcement. And if you yourself receive an unjustified debt collection demand, we defend you against it. For businesses, self-employed individuals and private persons throughout Germany.
Three steps to your money
Review & send a solicitor's letter of demand
We review the claim, default and limitation periods and call on the debtor to pay with the weight of a solicitor's letter and a clear deadline. Many claims are already settled at this stage.
Obtaining a title
If the debtor does not pay, we obtain an enforceable title for you – depending on the circumstances via a payment order from the central dunning court or directly by way of a payment claim.
Enforcement
The title is turned into money: bailiff, account and wage garnishment, statement of assets – targeted wherever there is something to be recovered from the debtor. The title remains enforceable for 30 years.
Demand, obtain a title, enforce – and defend
A solicitor's letter of demand carries noticeably more weight than another reminder of your own – and in the event of default, the costs are generally borne by the debtor.
Review and solicitor's letter of demand
- Review of the claim, due date, default and limitation period – before any costs are incurred.
- Solicitor's demand for payment with a clear deadline and notice of the legal steps to follow.
- Default interest and collection costs are also claimed; between businesses, the flat-rate fee of 40 euros is added.
Settlement instead of litigation
- Instalment payment agreement with acknowledgement of debt – documented in a legally secure manner and quickly enforceable if necessary.
- Settlement, where a swift partial payment makes more economic sense than lengthy litigation.
- Clear advice on when going to court is worthwhile – and when it is not.
If the debtor still fails to pay despite the reminder, we apply electronically for the payment order at the central dunning court – for debtors throughout Germany.
- Payment order without an oral hearing and without the need to state grounds.
- If no objection is raised: enforcement order as an enforceable title.
- In the event of an objection, seamless transition into contentious proceedings – without a change of contact person.
- The payment order suspends the limitation period – important before the end of the year.
If objections are to be expected, the claim usually reaches its goal faster than the dunning procedure. Thanks to electronic legal communications, we represent you nationwide.
- Payment claim before local and regional courts throughout Germany – via beA, without the need to travel.
- Default judgment, if the debtor does not defend the claim.
- Documentary proceedings for well-documented claims – a faster title where the debtor's means of defence are limited.
- Defence against unfounded objections: complaints of defects, set-off, rights of retention.
A title alone does not settle an invoice. We choose the enforcement measure most likely to succeed against the particular debtor.
- Instructing and managing the bailiff at the debtor's place of residence or business – nationwide.
- Garnishment of accounts, earned income and claims against third parties.
- Statement of the debtor's assets and targeted analysis.
- Judicial mortgage and enforcement against real property where the debtor owns land.
- Enforcement of judgments, enforcement orders and notarial deeds – a titled claim remains enforceable for 30 years.
For businesses, self-employed individuals, property management companies and practices, we take on debt collection as an ongoing mandate – structured and predictable.
- Fixed procedures: handover of outstanding items, solicitor's letter of demand, escalation according to agreed stages.
- Monitoring of deadlines and limitation periods across the entire portfolio of claims.
- Regular overview of the status and success of collection efforts.
- Prevention: review of terms and conditions, payment terms and default clauses, so that future claims are easier to enforce.
Not every debt collection demand is justified – and not every justified one is correct in the amount claimed. We check before you pay.
- Review of the basis of the claim, limitation period and excessive collection and interest costs.
- Defence against unfounded, already paid, or time-barred claims.
- Objection to default summonses (deadline: two weeks) and defence against payment claims.
- Negotiation of instalment payments or settlement, where the claim is justified.
Why debt collection through a solicitor?
The decisive difference to a classic debt collection agency: with a solicitor, your claim remains in one hand from the first reminder to the final enforcement measure. If the debtor fails to pay following the reminder letter or raises objections, matters proceed seamlessly without being handed over to third parties – default summons, contentious proceedings, enforcement. This matters especially with disputed claims: only a solicitor may represent you comprehensively before the courts.
The economics of legal debt collection are also clearly regulated: remuneration is determined by the Rechtsanwaltsvergütungsgesetz (RVG) and thus by the amount of the claim – transparent and calculable in advance. If the debtor is in default, they generally have to bear these costs themselves as damages for default.
Experience shows that a solicitor's reminder letter is taken more seriously than any further reminder sent by you personally: the debtor recognises that the next step is a default summons or court proceedings – and that any delay makes the matter more expensive for them. A substantial proportion of claims are therefore already settled out of court.
At the same time, we advise you honestly: if a claim cannot be economically enforced – for example because the debtor is evidently without assets – we will tell you so before further costs arise. And where losses can be avoided, we act in advance: with robust contracts, clear payment terms and effective Terms and Conditions.
Debt collection from across Germany – fully digital
Debt collection is no longer a local matter today: the default summons is applied for electronically at the central default summons court, and we file claims and enforcement applications via the special electronic lawyer's mailbox (beA) at every competent court in Germany – from Flensburg to Garmisch. We instruct the bailiff directly at the debtor's place of residence or business. For you, this means: it makes no difference where in Germany you or your debtor are based.
Instructing us also works entirely remotely: you send us the invoice, contract and correspondence by email or post, we discuss the approach by telephone – Appointments can be booked online or by telephone on 06431 - 2 88 88 88to arrange. Our offices in Limburg an der Lahn and Montabaur are of course also open to clients from the region for personal consultations. Prof. Dr. Frank Martin has represented companies, self-employed individuals and private persons for over 30 years in enforcing and defending against claims.
Debt collection explained clearly
What does debt collection through a solicitor cost?
Remuneration is determined by the Rechtsanwaltsvergütungsgesetz (RVG) and thus by the amount of the claim. If the debtor is in default, they generally have to bear the costs of legal debt collection themselves as damages for default. Before the engagement begins, we tell you the anticipated costs – transparent and without surprises.
When is the debtor in default?
Generally through a reminder issued after the due date. For payment claims, default occurs at the latest 30 days after the due date and receipt of the invoice; for consumers, only if the invoice states this. Once in default, the debtor owes default interest and reimbursement of collection costs.
Default summons or court claim – which is the right approach?
The court default summons procedure is quick and cost-effective where no objections from the debtor are expected – it leads to an enforcement order without a hearing. Where an objection is to be expected, a payment claim is usually the faster route. We choose the appropriate procedure for each claim.
Do you handle debt collection nationwide?
Yes. We apply for default summonses electronically at the central default summons courts; we file claims and enforcement applications via the special electronic lawyer's mailbox (beA) at every competent court in Germany. Instructing us is possible entirely by telephone, email and post – a visit to the office is not required.
When do outstanding claims become time-barred?
The standard limitation period is three years and begins at the end of the year in which the claim arose. Invoices from 2023 therefore become time-barred at the end of 31 December 2026. A default summons or court claim suspends the limitation period; a claim with a court judgment remains enforceable for 30 years.
What happens if the debtor is unable to pay?
In that case, the debtor's statement of assets provides clarity on attachable income and assets. Often, a realistic instalment payment arrangement leads to the goal. And because a claim with a court judgment remains enforceable for 30 years, enforcement can be resumed at any time once the debtor comes into money.
Is legal debt collection worthwhile even for smaller claims?
Often yes: in the event of default, the debtor generally bears the costs of collection themselves; between business owners, a statutory flat fee of 40 euros is also added. Many claims are already settled upon receipt of the solicitor's reminder letter. We tell you honestly in advance whether collection is economically worthwhile.
I have received correspondence from a debt collection agency myself – what should I do?
Neither pay without checking nor ignore it. We examine whether the claim actually exists, whether it is time-barred, and whether the collection costs claimed are justified in amount. Important: an objection to a default summons must be lodged within two weeks – otherwise an enforcement order is at risk.
Do not wait until the claim becomes time-barred.
Solicitor's reminder letter, default summons, court claim and enforcement – nationwide and from a single source. Contact us while your claim can still be enforced.