If you do what has been done to you to try and collect on it.How long have they been trying to collect on your judgment.Does anyone here have more than one judgment against them?Your answers will help others understand the worst case senerio.So many people get scared of being sued and getting a judgment against them.Sharing your experience could be very informative for others who are heading in that direction.
Great intro from a senior member! Given the "personal finance" issues to come in the next few months, perhaps such a thread will become a sticky. I had a small claim summons and I decided not to fight it; small claims and $1300.00. A default judgment was rendered and I agreed to pay off the debt in 4 months. Why? I was not very savvy 16 months ago and did not understand that I had a right to deny the claim even though there was no doubt I owed the money. I did not know that by denying the claim in a response to a small claim, it would automatically set up a mediation session in my local court. Stupid me, I might have been giev a year or more to pay off the claim. But, I am off-topic. I do believe that if the creditor is local (OC or local CA,) they will move quickly on a judgment in small claims. These folks can be a stone's throw from the courthouse. Wage garnishment can occur quickly. It was clear to me that if the creditor is local, they will move fast on a judgment. I can't speak to what might happen under a larger judgment by a national OC or CA, but I would think the process bogs down for collecting as they weigh their costs and potential for appeal if the case was contested and a appeal is filed. In my state, small claims decisions rendering a judgment cannot be appealed, but outside of small claims, decisions can be appealed. I'm going to love hearing any and all experiences with regards to judgments from national OC or CA's. Again, great thread-starter. As a potential future receiver of judgments, I'm all ears.
Sorta had one... I don't know if this is exactly what you're looking for, but this was my judgment experience: I had a medical bill that I paid. Six months or so later, I got a notice to appear in court regarding that bill. I found the receipt showing payment and brought it to court with me. The lawyer for the CA said, "this looks legitimate, but we'll have to check on it..." The judge entered a judgment until the issue could be resolved. They finally figured it out and ordered the judgment vacated. However, that didn't take it off my report. I had to dispute the tradeline and it came off. Took a long time though... I know that's not exactly what you're asking, but I can attest to the fact that getting a VACATED judgment off my report was not easy. So for those who don't have the judgment vacated or don't have much upon which to dispute, it can be a hard road. It felt good when it was all done though... Oh, and my credit score only went up like one point. Sad.
