Dear Expert At Law,
I have recently received a Civil Summons from a law firm representing a Credit Card company where a debt of $12,200 is owing. I live in Kentucky where the collection law firm and court is located. I have retained a debt settlement company to negotiate and resolve this debt. The debt settlement company is advising me to ignore the summons, stating that the law firm will issue a second one after a period of time, then the debt settlement company will start negotiating a settlement amount. The debt settlement company is claiming this is a tactic by the collection law firm to scare me and not work through the debt settlement company. The server of the summons was a sherriff who advised me all I had to do was contact the Law Firm within 20 days. The Proof of Service portion of the summons was not dated or signed by the sherriff. My questions are as follows;
1.) Should I ignore the summons as per my settlement company's request?
2.) If I ignore the summons what are the potential consequences? A default judgement against me? A garnishment of wages? Another summons?
3.) Should I fax the law firm a statement advising them that the debt settlement firm has been retained to negotiate a Good Faith settlement payoff? I have previously made the Law Firm aware of the settlement company.
Thanking you in advance for your time and consideration.

