CJ-2025-1468 - TTCU Federal Credit Union v. Mary Martin

What's This Case About?

Let’s be real: nobody wakes up dreaming of a life defined by a $15,624.18 debt dispute with their former credit union. But here we are, deep in the trenches of American petty civil court drama, where the interest rate is 12.74%, the installments are $461.71, and the real crime might just be how boring the paperwork is for something that feels this personal. This isn’t a heist. It’s not even a scandal. It’s just Mary Martin, one woman, one loan, one missed payment too many, and now—thanks to the cold, unblinking eye of the legal system—she’s been summoned to answer for it like she’s on trial for economic treason.

So who is Mary Martin? Well, according to the filing, she’s a citizen of Oklahoma (though her mailing address is in Beaumont, Texas—plot twist? tax evasion? just bad record-keeping?), and at some point in mid-2022, she found herself in need of $20,000. Enter TTCU Federal Credit Union, Tulsa’s own financial knight in shining armor, ready to answer the call with a personal loan at an interest rate that would make your credit card wince. On June 10, 2022, Mary signed on the dotted line—literally, via DocuSign, which gives this whole saga a faint whiff of modern inconvenience. The loan was structured as a five-year deal, 60 monthly payments, beginning September 8, 2022, with the final payoff date set for August 8, 2027. Simple enough. She’d pay $461.71 every month, and over time, the $20,000 would vanish into the ether of amortization, along with $7,702.04 in finance charges—because, hey, that’s capitalism.

But somewhere along the way, Mary stopped paying. That’s the nuclear core of this case: she defaulted. The contract says so. The petition says so. And while we don’t know why—was it a job loss? A medical emergency? Did she just decide that $461.71 a month was better spent on concert tickets or a dog named Sir Barksalot?—we do know the result. As of the filing date in February 2023, just eight months after the loan began, Mary owed $15,624.18 in principal, and that number was growing thanks to the relentless 12.74% annual interest. That’s not chump change, but it’s also not a fortune—especially when you consider she originally borrowed $20,000 and had only been paying for a few months. The math suggests she either missed several payments or paid irregularly, and now TTCU is done playing nice.

Why are they in court? Because this is a breach of contract case—fancy legal speak for “you promised to pay, and you didn’t.” TTCU isn’t accusing Mary of fraud, theft, or identity theft. They’re not claiming she burned down a building or ran off to Belize with their vault. No, this is far more mundane: she signed a legally binding agreement to repay a loan, and she didn’t. That’s it. That’s the whole ballgame. The credit union wants the court to officially recognize that yes, Mary owes them money, and yes, they should be allowed to collect it—including interest, court costs, and a reasonable attorney’s fee (capped, per the contract, at 15% of the unpaid balance, which would be about $2,343 if they max it out). They’re also asking for a sneaky little procedural tool: an order forcing the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission to cough up Mary’s employment records for the past four quarters. Translation: “Your Honor, we’d like to know where she works so we can garnish her wages.” It’s not dramatic, but it’s effective.

Now, let’s talk about the $15,624.18. Is that a lot? In the grand scheme of civil lawsuits, it’s pocket change. Billion-dollar verdicts make headlines. This? This is the kind of number that gets paid off in installments, settled for 70 cents on the dollar, or wiped out in bankruptcy. But for an individual, especially someone who’s already struggling to make $461 payments, it’s very real money. It’s a car down payment. It’s a year of rent in some parts of Oklahoma. It’s also less than the total amount borrowed—meaning Mary didn’t even make it a year into the loan before falling behind. The credit union could’ve tried to work with her. They could’ve offered a forbearance, a modification, a sternly worded email with a payment link. Instead, they went straight to litigation—hiring the legal dream team of Robinett, Swartz & Duren, whose Mid-Continent Tower office probably has a view of the Arkansas River and zero tolerance for delinquent borrowers.

And here’s the kicker: buried in the fine print is a full copy of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) disclaimer. TTCU’s lawyers are basically saying, “Hey, if you think this debt isn’t yours, you’ve got 35 days to dispute it, or we’re assuming it’s legit.” Which is fair—except it also reads like a threat wrapped in compliance paperwork. They’re not just suing Mary; they’re pre-emptively silencing any defense she might raise. And if she does dispute it? They’ll stop collection efforts—until they mail her verification. It’s a legal chess match disguised as a debt collection notice.

So what’s our take? The most absurd part isn’t the money. It’s the speed. This lawsuit was filed in February 2023. The loan started in June 2022. That’s less than a year from disbursement to docket number. Most lenders give borrowers at least a grace period, a few dunning letters, maybe a call from a collections agent named Chad who says “per our records” three times in one sentence. But TTCU? They moved faster than a TikTok trend. Either Mary missed a lot of payments in a short time, or TTCU has a zero-tolerance policy for late payers that borders on the obsessive. Are we rooting for Mary? Honestly, kind of. Not because she’s innocent—she likely isn’t—but because the whole thing feels like using a flamethrower to light a birthday candle. A $20,000 personal loan gone bad is sad, not criminal. And while contracts are contracts, there’s something deeply unromantic about a credit union treating a former customer like a fugitive over a debt that, in the grand scheme of financial disasters, barely registers as a blip.

At the end of the day, this case won’t change financial law. It won’t go to the Supreme Court. It’ll probably settle, or result in a default judgment, or quietly disappear into the Tulsa County court archives like thousands of others. But it is a perfect little time capsule of modern American debt: impersonal, interest-accruing, and enforced with the emotional warmth of a spreadsheet. Mary Martin may have broken her promise to pay. But let’s be honest—TTCU broke the promise of being a credit union, the kind of institution that’s supposed to be “of the people, for the people.” Instead, they’re out here with attorneys and garnishment orders, chasing down a woman for $15,624.18 like she stole their grandmother’s heirloom china.

Welcome to the circus, Mary. The popcorn’s on us.

Case Overview

Petition

Jurisdiction

District Court in and for Tulsa County, Oklahoma

Filing Attorney

Charles R. Swartz

ROBINETT, SWARTZ & DUREN

Relief Sought

$15,624 Monetary

Plaintiffs

TTCU Federal Credit Union business
Rep: ROBINETT, SWARTZ & DUREN

Defendants

Mary Martin individual

Claims

#	Cause of Action	Description
1	breach of contract	collection of debt

Petition Text

1,831 words

IN THE DISTRICT COURT IN AND FOR TULSA COUNTY STATE OF OKLAHOMA TTCU FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, ) Plaintiff, v. ) ) MARY MARTIN, ) Defendants. PETITION Plaintiff, TTCU Federal Credit Union ("TTCU"), by its attorneys, Charles R. Swartz and Christopher R. Kemp, of ROBINETT, SWARTZ & DUREN, for its claims against the Defendant, Mary Martin, allege the following: 1. Plaintiff is a credit union with its principal place of business in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 2. Defendant is a citizen of Oklahoma. 3. The agreement sued upon in this action was executed and breached in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. 4. On or about June 10, 2022, Defendant entered into a contract with TTCU. See attached "Exhibit A". 5. Defendant is in default under the terms of the note by failing to make payments as agreed. 6. There is currently due to the Plaintiff on the subject note, the principal sum of $15,624.18 with interest accruing on the principal balance at the rate of **12.74% per annum**, until paid, the costs of this action, accrued and accruing, and a reasonable attorney’s fee. 7. Plaintiff requests that upon entry of judgment herein in favor of the Plaintiff, that the Court also enter an Order directing the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission ("OESC") to produce information in its possession concerning the employment of the judgment debtor(s) for the preceding four quarters, upon service of a certified copy of said Order on the OESC in accordance with 40 I.S. § 4-508(D). Plaintiff further requests that the Order direct the OESC to produce the requested information within 35 days from the date of service of the Order, pursuant to 40 O.S. § 4-508(D). 8. Pursuant to Title 15 U.S.C. § 1692(g), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, if applicable, unless the person or entity responsible for the payment of the above debt, within thirty-five days after receipt of this notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid; and if said person or entity notifies the undersigned attorney for Plaintiff in writing within said thirty-five day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, said attorney will obtain verification of the debt and a copy of such verification will be mailed to said person or entity by the undersigned attorney for Plaintiff; and upon written request by you within the thirty-five day period, the undersigned attorney for Plaintiff will provide the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor. The law does not require me to wait until the end of the thirty-five day period following first contact with you before suing you to collect the debt. Even though the law provides that your answer to the petition is to be filed in this action within 35 days, you may obtain an extension of that time. Furthermore, no request will be made to the Court for a judgment until the expiration of thirty-five days after your receipt of this petition and summons. However, if you request proof of the debt or the name and address of the original creditor within the thirty-five day period that begins with your receipt of this petition and summons, the law requires me to cease my efforts (through litigation or otherwise) until I mail the requested information to you. You should consult an attorney for advice concerning your rights and obligations in this suit. This is an attempt to collect a debt (with the exception of a discharged debt in bankruptcy) and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff TTCU Federal Credit Union requests judgment against the Defendant, Mary Martin, for the principal sum of $15,624.18, with interest accruing on the principal balance at the rate of 12.74% per annum, until paid; the costs of the action, accrued and accruing, and a reasonable attorney's fee, as well as all other and further relief to which the Plaintiff may be entitled. Plaintiff further requests that upon entry of judgment, the Court also enter an Order directing the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission to produce employment information on the judgment debtor(s), as more fully set out above. Respectfully submitted, ROBINETT, SWARTZ & DUREN By: _______________________________________ Charles R. Swartz, OBA No. 22313 Christopher R. Kemp, OBA No. 31115 Mid-Continent Tower 401 S. Boston Avenue, Suite 1600 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103 Telephone: (918) 592-3699 Facsimile: (918) 592-0963 [email protected] Attorneys for Plaintiff TTCU Federal Credit Union DocuSign Envelope ID: 82868D45-3D1A-442A-B76A-BB9324F66140 TTCU P.O. Box 477560 Tulsa, OK 74147-7550 Borrower 1 Name and Address MARY MARTIN 2056 ACQUIE DRIVE BEAUMONT, TX 77703 Borrower 2 Name Borrower 3 Name Non-Applicants Providing Security Loan Number: Loan Amount: 20000.00 Loan Date: 06/10/2022 Maturity Date: 08/08/2027 "I" Includes each borrower above, jointly and severally. "You" means the lender, its successors and assigns. I promise to pay to you, or to your order, at your address above, the principal sum of: 20000.00 plus interest from 06/10/2022 at the rate of 12.740 per year until paid in full. I will pay this amount as follows: (a) [ ] on demand (b) [ ] on demand, but if none is made, on ___________________________ (c) [√] on 08/08/2027 If (a), (b), (c) is marked, I will pay accrued interest [monthly] ________ and on the maturity date. (d) [√] In 60 *Installments of 461.71 each beginning 09/08/2022 and continuing on the same date of each month [√] 461.71 thereafter until paid in full. (e) [ ] other If a single payment, monthly requirements do not apply. PAYMENTS: Interest accrues on the unpaid balances of principal remaining from time to time. Each payment when made will first be applied to accrued interest, and the balance to principal. The actual amount of the final payment will depend upon my payment record. PREPAYMENT: I may prepay this note in whole or in part at any time. However, any partial prepayment will not excuse any later scheduled payments until this note is paid in full. [ ] If checked, I agree to pay a minimum interest charge of $. N/A if I pay this loan off before you have earned that much in Interest. DEFAULT: I agree to pay reasonable attorney's fees, not in excess of 15% of the unpaid debt, you incur by hiring an attorney to collect this note in the event of my default, plus any other costs you incur to realize upon any security. However, you are not entitled to attorney's fees with respect to certain supervised loans except as awarded by a court in accordance with other statutes of this state. [ ] If checked, interest will accrue at the rate of N/A % per year on the balance of this note not paid at maturity, including maturity by acceleration. [ ] If checked, I agree to pay a fee of $ N/A for each check, negotiable order of withdrawal of draft issued in connection with this loan that is returned because it has been dishonored. THE PURPOSE OF THIS LOAN IS: PERSONAL USE <table> <tr> <th>ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE</th> <th>FINANCE CHARGE</th> <th>AMOUNT FINANCED</th> <th>TOTAL OF PAYMENTS</th> <th>I have the right to receive at this time an itemization of the Amount Financed</th> </tr> <tr> <td>The cost of my credit as a yearly rate<br>12.740</td> <td>The dollar amount the credit will cost me<br>7702.04</td> <td>The amount of credit provided to me or on my behalf.<br>20000.00</td> <td>The amount I will be paid when I have made all required payments<br>27702.04</td> <td>[ ] YES - I want an itemization<br>[ ] NO - I do not want an itemization</td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr> <th>Number of Payments</th> <th>Amount of Payments</th> <th>When Payments Are Due</th> <th></th> <th></th> </tr> <tr> <td>59</td> <td>461.71</td> <td>First Payment Due: 09/08/2022 and monthly beginning this date</td> <td></td> <td>"e" means an estimate</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1</td> <td>461.71</td> <td>Last Payment Due: 08/08/2027</td> <td></td> <td>P&I Fee<br>Non-Lien Insurance</td> </tr> </table> * If single pay monthly requirements do not apply. This note has a demand feature. This note is payable on demand and its disclosures are based on an assumed maturity of one year. Security: I am giving a security interest in [ ] Brief description of other property) See below under Security. The goods or property being purchased. Collateral securing other loans with you may also secure this loan. My share accounts and other rights to the payment of money from you. Late Fee: If a payment is late I may be charged the lesser of $19.00 or 5% of the payment. Prepayment: If I pay off this loan early, I may [ ] will not [√] be entitled to a refund of part of the finance charge. I can see the contract documents for any additional information about nonpayment, default, any required repayment before the scheduled date, and prepayment refunds and penalties. Insurance: Debt Protection is not required to obtain credit, and will not be provided unless I sign and agree to pay the additional cost. SEE SEPARATE DISCLOSURE. Property Insurance - I may obtain property Ins from anyone I want that is acceptable to TTCU <table> <tr> <th colspan="2">Itemization of Amount Financed</th> <th>(a)</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Amount given to me directly</td> <td>$20,000</td> <td>(b)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Amount paid on my account</td> <td></td> <td>(c)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Amounts paid to others on my behalf</td> <td></td> <td>(d)</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> <td>(e)</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> <td>(f)</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> <td>(g)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Prepaid Finance Charge</td> <td>NA</td> <td>(h)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>AMOUNT FINANCED (a through g)</td> <td>20000.00</td> <td>(i)</td> </tr> </table> Security - To secure the payment of the note total (defined on page 2): (1) I acknowledge and agree that you have the right to set-off this note against any obligation you have (now or hereafter) to pay money to me. (2) You may collect the proceeds (or rebates of unearned premiums) on any insurance policy insuring me (where you are named as loss payee) and on any policy insuring property securing this note. You will apply this toward what I owe you. (3) [ ] If checked, this note is not further secured by any contemporaneous agreement (except for [1] and [2] of this section). CLOSED-END NOTE [ ] If checked, this security agreement (if filed) should be filed in the real estate records. Legal Description ________________________________ Record Owner (if not me) ____________________________ Signatures: I agree to the terms of the note and security agreement above (including those on the second page of this form) and acknowledge receipt of at least one copy on today's date. Any person who signs within this enclosure does so to give you a security interest in the property described above, but assumes no personal obligation to pay this note. DocuSigned by: Mary Martin S9686083D28881424... This property will be used for [ ] Personal [ ] Business [ ] Agricultural purposes If checked, this is a purchase money loan. You may include the name of the seller on the check or draft for this loan. Cosigners - SEE NOTICE ON PAGE 2 BEFORE SIGNING Signature Signature Signature Signature Signature Signature EXHIBIT "A"