What are the legal procedures for recovering arrears? Do I have to hire a lawyer? What if I can't find the debtor?

The legal procedure is roughly as follows:

The parties bring a civil lawsuit to the people's court, demanding the other party to repay the arrears. To file a civil lawsuit, you need to prepare: a civil complaint, a copy of the other party's ID card, a list of evidence, and evidence materials (that is, evidence of the other party's arrears).

After receiving the prosecution materials, the people's court will decide whether to accept or file a case within seven days. If it is not accepted, a ruling will be made; If you are dissatisfied with the ruling, you can appeal.

After accepting the case, a trial will be arranged. If ordinary procedures are applied, the people's court shall conclude the case within six months from the date of filing the case. If there are special circumstances, it can be extended upon approval and a notice of extension will be issued.

At the end of the trial, the people's court will make a judgment according to law and issue a civil judgment; The verdict will state the verdict and the reasons for the verdict. If a party refuses to accept the judgment, he may appeal to the people's court at the next higher level within 15 days after receiving the judgment.

Two, if you have certain legal knowledge, clear legal procedures and enough time, you don't have to hire a lawyer. If you don't understand the proposal, entrust a lawyer to handle it, which is conducive to safeguarding your legitimate rights and interests.

3. If the debtor cannot be found, the court may make a judgment by default. After the judgment takes effect, it can apply for execution, and its property clues can be provided to the court for compulsory execution in the execution stage.

Extended data:

Enforcement refers to the court's use of coercive force to force the civil obligor to fulfill his obligations in accordance with legal procedures and the provisions of enforcement documents, so as to ensure the realization of the rights of the obligee.

Execution documents include legally effective civil judgments, rulings and other legal documents that should be executed by the court according to law. If the person subjected to execution refuses to perform his rights, he may apply to the court for compulsory execution.

The right to file an application is called the applicant, and the person named to perform the obligation is called the respondent. The applicant is often the plaintiff who wins the case, or the defendant who wins the case by counterclaiming.

The execution procedure is the last stage of the civil litigation procedure, and the whole litigation procedure is over when the execution is completed.

Baidu Encyclopedia-People's Republic of China (PRC) Civil Procedure Law