My BIL bounced 2 checks to his dentist. Dentist office referred them to collection after 30 days. It was referred to an attorney after 90 days. Of course each time the costs increased.

He's been getting letters/phone calls from the dentist office, the collection agency, and the lawyer. All 3 are trying to collect but the dentist's office wants the original amount, the collection agency wants the original amount + bounced check fees, and the attorney wants to add on attorney fees as well. I'm wondering if he can get away with paying the dentist's office directly and not have to pay the other fees at all, even though it's been more than 90 days.

Does anyone have experience with this kind of thing?

I've been on the other end of it. I had to send a client to collections. I had to enter into a legal agreement with the collections agency. I could have still taken the money directly from the client, but I would have had to pay the collection agency their share (25% of everything collected). So, my guess is he can pay the dentist, as long as the dentist agrees to it, and the dentist would have to deal with the attorney and collection agency.

Make sure he gets a receipt though! Just in case he has more issues with others trying to collect the money.

It really depends on the place, the collection agency, and the amount. Some will let you just pay the original place, others won't. The last one I paid I went through the collection agency but they just had me make out the check to who they were collecting it for. They didn't charge me more. I've had others where I had to pay the lawyer, the collection agency refused to take the payment after the lawyer had it. Tell him to call the dentists office - the worst they can say is no. Doesn't hurt to try.

Make sure the receipt says "Paid In Full".
S~

This site will help you with ANYTHING to do with credit, collections etc COMPLETE with form letters. Most important lesson I read -- NEVER speak to a collection agency. Pointless....

www.creditinfocenter.com