Some states have a procedural tool—known as a suit on an account, a suit for an account, or a suit on a sworn account—that limits the evidence and pleading requirements for a creditor to establish its right to recovery on certain types of accounts in a lawsuit to collect a debt. These procedural tools are designed to reduce the cost of a creditor’s recovery of a debt on such accounts, and usually apply to transactions in which there is a sale upon one side and a purchase upon the other, and title to personal property passes from one to the other, creating a debtor-creditor relationship by a general course of dealing.

A sworn account is not an independent cause of action or basis for recovery, but requires the defendant to file a sworn denial of the account to avoid having the court grant judgment against the defendant early in the litigation process (summary judgment).

In Massachusetts, the concept of a suit on a sworn account is not as formally recognized as it is in some other states. Massachusetts does not have a specific statute or procedural rule that outlines a distinct process for a suit on a sworn account. However, creditors seeking to recover debts may still file a lawsuit for breach of contract or on account stated, which are common causes of action for debt collection. In such cases, the creditor must prove the existence of the debt, the amount owed, and that the debtor has defaulted. The debtor has the opportunity to dispute the debt by filing an answer to the lawsuit. If the debtor fails to respond or dispute the debt adequately, the creditor may seek a summary judgment, which is a judgment entered by the court without a full trial when there is no dispute over the material facts of the case. It's important for both creditors and debtors to consult with an attorney to understand their rights and obligations under Massachusetts law when involved in debt collection litigation.