Sued by Rausch Sturm in Florida? What to Do Next
Sued by Rausch Sturm? What Florida Consumers Need to Know
If Rausch Sturm, LLP has served you with a lawsuit in Florida — or their letters and calls keep coming — you’re not alone, and you’re not out of options. Rausch Sturm is a collection law firm that files consumer debt lawsuits in Florida courts on behalf of the banks and creditors it represents. I’m Michael Ziegler, and for more than a decade our firm has defended Florida consumers against collection lawsuits exactly like this one. The single most important thing to understand right now: in Florida, a lawsuit you ignore usually ends in a default judgment — which can open the door to wage garnishment and frozen bank accounts. The deadlines are short, so let’s walk through what Rausch Sturm is, why they’re suing you, and what you can do about it.
Who Is Rausch Sturm, LLP?
Rausch Sturm, LLP is a creditor-side collection law firm headquartered at 300 North Executive Drive, Suite 200, Brookfield, Wisconsin 53005. The firm has practiced for approximately 40 years, according to its website, and previously did business under the longer name Rausch, Sturm, Israel, Enerson & Hornik — so older paperwork may show that name.
Rausch Sturm describes itself as a firm that represents financial institutions and creditors. If they’ve contacted you, it almost always means a creditor hired them to collect — and potentially to sue.
As of July 2026, the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database lists 839 complaints about Rausch Sturm, LLP (a total that includes complaints filed under its former, longer name), and as of July 2026 the firm’s Better Business Bureau profile shows 42 complaints closed in the last three years. Complaints alone don’t decide your case — but they’re a reminder that you should verify everything they claim, not take it at face value.
Getting Calls, Letters, or Emails From These Contacts?
Many Floridians find this page by searching the phone number or email address on the paperwork in front of them. These are contact points publicly listed by Rausch Sturm:
- Phone: 866-456-3744 (their consumer line)
- Email: disputes@rauschsturm.com (their published dispute address)
- Mail: 300 North Executive Drive, Suite 200, Brookfield, WI 53005
If you’ve received communication from these contacts, it is a real collection law firm — not a scam — and it should not be ignored. Before you call them back, remember that they represent their client’s interests, not yours. You’re generally better off understanding your rights first.
Why Is Rausch Sturm Suing Me?
Rausch Sturm files collection lawsuits to obtain a court judgment for the creditor they represent. A judgment is the legal key that unlocks collection tools like wage garnishment and bank levies. Collection lawsuits like these typically involve charged-off credit card balances, personal loans, or auto deficiencies. The account may still belong to the original creditor, or it may have been sold to a debt buyer — the paperwork will say who the actual plaintiff is, and that distinction matters for your defenses.
How to Respond to a Rausch Sturm Lawsuit in Florida — 5 Steps
1. Respond before the deadline
Florida courts are divided by the amount in dispute: small claims (up to $8,000), county court (up to $50,000), and circuit court above that. In small claims, you must appear at an early hearing called a pretrial conference. In county and circuit court, you have 20 days from the date you’re served to file a written response. Miss the deadline and the court will likely enter a default judgment against you. Game over — before the game even started. Don’t let that happen.
2. Read the lawsuit critically
Collection lawsuits are built on another company’s records, and those records can be wrong — wrong amount, wrong person, missing account documents, or a debt too old to sue on. Don’t assume the claim is correct just because it’s typed on court paper.
3. Check the age of the debt
Florida’s statute of limitations generally gives creditors five years to sue on debts based on a written agreement. If the last activity on the account is older than that, you may have a complete defense — but you usually have to raise it; the court won’t raise it for you. Our guide to Florida credit card lawsuit time limits covers this in detail.
4. Weigh your options honestly
Fight the case, negotiate a settlement, or — if this lawsuit is one debt among many — consider whether bankruptcy resolves the whole picture instead of one lawsuit at a time. One of our clients came to us with a Rausch Sturm suit that turned out to be the tip of five figures in charged-off debt; the lawsuit was the symptom, not the problem. An honest review of your full debt picture tells you which tool fits.
5. Get any agreement in writing
If you settle — with or without an attorney — get every term in writing before you pay: the amount, the payment terms, and what happens to the lawsuit. A written agreement protects both sides.
Your Rights When Rausch Sturm Contacts You
Florida consumers are protected by two overlapping laws: the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act (FCCPA). Harassing calls, misrepresenting the amount or legal status of a debt, threatening action they can’t take, or reporting inaccurate information can violate these laws. Each statute allows a consumer to recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus attorney’s fees and court costs for violations. See our FDCPA violations list for the common ones. If the collection conduct crossed the line, that becomes leverage in your case — but the first priority is defending the lawsuit itself.
FAQ: Rausch Sturm Lawsuits in Florida
Is Rausch Sturm a legitimate law firm?
Yes. Rausch Sturm, LLP is a real collection law firm that, per its website, has practiced for approximately 40 years. A lawsuit or letter from them is not a scam — which is exactly why you shouldn’t ignore it.
Who does Rausch Sturm collect for?
Rausch Sturm states that it represents financial institutions and creditors. The complaint filed against you names the actual plaintiff — read it carefully, because whether it’s the original creditor or a debt buyer changes what proof they need.
What happens if I ignore a Rausch Sturm lawsuit?
In Florida, ignoring a lawsuit usually leads to a default judgment. With a judgment, the plaintiff can pursue wage garnishment and bank account levies. Here’s what happens after a judgment is entered — and why acting before that point matters so much.
Should I accept a Rausch Sturm settlement offer?
Sometimes a settlement is the right call — but never accept one without checking the math and the case first. If the debt is outside the statute of limitations, if the plaintiff can’t document the account, or if your income and assets are protected from collection under Florida law, your negotiating position may be far stronger than the offer assumes. And any deal belongs in writing.
Can Rausch Sturm garnish my wages?
Not without a judgment. If they already have one, Florida law still provides exemptions — including the head-of-family exemption — that may protect some or all of your wages. That’s a conversation to have with a defense attorney quickly, not after the garnishment hits.
Sued by Rausch Sturm? Talk to a Florida Debt Defense Team First
At Ziegler Diamond Law, we’ve spent more than a decade defending everyday Floridians against collection law firms — lawsuits, bankruptcy, credit reporting errors, and collection harassment. We’ll review your Rausch Sturm case, lay out your defenses and options, and give you a straight answer about the best path — whether that’s fighting, settling, or resolving the bigger debt picture.
Call (727) 538-4188 for a Free Debt Freedom Strategy Session, or schedule online.
This page is general information, not legal advice. For Florida residents, contact Ziegler Diamond Law for a Free Debt Freedom Strategy Session.