Software solution for debt recovery

• US 20060143104A1
• Filed: 12/23/2005
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eliot M. Wagonheim
• Original Assignee: Eliot M. Wagonheim
• Inventors: Wagonheim, Eliot M.
• Application Number:
  US11/316,774
• Publication Number:
  US 20060143104A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03

Abstract

An improved and automated software system that allows inexperienced users to service debts, and quickly increases debt servicer effectiveness while decreasing the time and expense necessary to process a collection effort in accordance with ever-changing court forms and regulations. UCC-compliance, etc., thereby adding consistency and quality to a businesses'"'"' collection efforts. The core of the system is a software solution that includes a graphical user interface, which facilitates a collection program, including collection and maintenance of data population of a database, and implementation of the collection process. The interface includes a guided interview which allows a debt servicer to answer questions, and which then implements predetermined collection options by generating all necessary forms and providing implementation FAQs for the user. The user may bypass the guided interview for direct access to the forms via an embedded word processing capability.

Claims

1. A program product for facilitating a collection program tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a computer system having an operating system, comprising:

a guided interview for guiding a debt servicer through data entry via a series of questions including nature of the debt due, type of work performed or goods sold, person or company who owes the debt, and terms under which the work was performed or goods sold;

a direct-form entry selection for allowing the debt servicer to enter data directly into editable forms bypassing said guided interview;

a database for storing entered data; and

a word processing module for compiling and editing said editable forms using said entered data.

2. The program product according to claim 1, further comprising a graphical user interface which serves as a gateway to begin a new collection case, open an existing collection case, view a calendar of consolidated collection cases, view reports, edit forms, view frequently-asked questions, and take a tutorial.

3. The program product according to claim 2, wherein said graphical user interface provides a selection to the debt servicer as to whether to enter information about a case via said guided interview or said direct-form entry selection.

4. The program product according to claim 1, wherein said guided interview comprises a series of screens that guide the debt servicer through an information collection and debt recovery process step by step.

5. The program product according to claim 1, wherein said direct-form entry selection comprises direct data entry into editable forms for collection.

6. The program product according to claim 4, wherein said guided interview screens provide advice to assist the user in entering data.

7. The program product according to claim 6, wherein said guided interview screens further comprise screens from among a group consisting of collecting receivables, dealing with bounced checks, where to file suit, should the user file suit, determining if a claim exceeds a statutory small claim limit, filing the small claims court complaint form, handling defendant'"'"'s response, settling the claim, preparing for court appearance, appearing in court, and getting money after winning the case.

8. The program product according to claim 1, further comprising a data validation engine to validate data entry.

9. The program product according to claim 8, wherein said data validation engine further comprises real time data integrity checks, specific field format validations, and business rule validations.

10. The program product according to claim 1, further comprising a library of editable forms.

11. The program product according to claim 10, wherein said library of editable forms further comprises three collection letter including each of a “

Soft”

, “

Medium” and

“

Final”

collection letter.

12. The program product according to claim 7, wherein said guided interview screens all comprise a uniform interface including one-click action buttons at top for easy access, and a user-navigation trail displaying folder and subfolders.

13. Software for facilitating a collection program, comprising:

a graphical user interface for allowing a user to begin a new collection case or open an existing collection case, and to select between a guided interview and direct form entry;

a library of collection forms;

a graphical guided interview comprising a sequence of screens for guiding said user through data entry via a series of questions including nature of the debt due, type of work performed or goods sold, person or company who owes the money, and terms of the transaction, said data used for populating said forms;

a word processing module for said direct-form entry that allows the debt servicer to enter data directly for populating said collection forms, bypassing said guided interview;

compiling forms using said data.

14. The software according to claim 13, wherein said graphical guided interview comprises a series of user screens that guide the debt servicer through an information collection and debt recovery process step by step by informational narrative appearing on said screens.

15. The software according to claim 14, wherein said direct-form entry selection comprises direct data entry into editable forms in said library of forms.

16. The software according to claim 15, wherein said library of forms includes court documents.

17. The software according to claim 14, wherein said guided interview screens further comprise screens from among a group consisting of collecting receivables, dealing with bounced checks, where to file suit, should the user file suit, determining if a claim exceeds a statutory small claim limit, filing the small claims court complaint form, handling defendant'"'"'s response, settling the claim, preparing for court appearance, appearing in court, and getting money after winning the case.

18. The software according to claim 13, further comprising a data validation engine to validate data entry, said data validation engine further comprises real time data integrity checks, specific field format validations, and business rule validations.

19. The software according to claim 16, further comprising a rules-based engine for automatically determining if a collection case exceeds a small claim limit, and for determining where said court documents can be filed in respect to specific counties and courthouse locations.

20. A software method for administering collection cases, comprising the steps of:

providing a graphical user interface for guiding a user through data entry regarding a collection case;

providing a graphical user interface for advising said user on possible collection efforts and techniques used prior to filing a lawsuit, including collection letters of various levels of severity, options to be pursued if a debtor'"'"'s check is returned unpaid, and settling the collection case;

providing, a graphical user interface for guiding said user through implementation of lawsuit if collection efforts fail, and for automatically generating court documents for implementing said lawsuit;

providing a graphical user interface for guiding said user through actual collection on a judgment by garnishing bank accounts and wages, attaching and selling property, and investigating assets.