Does anyone know what happens once a limited civil case for a debt collection goes to trial? If I owe the debt

do I just plead guilty and ask to make payment arrangements? Will the judge be more reasonable than the collection agency? How do I reply to the summon? Do I use the general denial form. I am located in California.Does anyone know what happens once a limited civil case for a debt collection goes to trial? If I owe the debt
in most states once it goes to trail, and there is prof of debt there is a judgment placed on your credit, that stays about 7 years, your best bet is to pay off before trial day if you can. the next step if you are allowed to make payments, in most cases if you miss 31 days the right to file wadge attachment follows. this really hurts. there is a form attached to the summons and instructions, call the one who filed against you now! they may pass for settlement if you pay most or all before trial or make a suitable payment arrangement.this post pones the trail and this keeps the suit open in case you default on the payments, and once you make the last payment they file for a case close. each state is different, i was a legal clerk for a maryland hospital.