 Debt,
collection agencies and your rights
|  Dear
Debt Adviser,
Nightmare! I have a credit card that has been placed in collections. They say the only option is to settle 50 cents on the dollar in the next month to avoid judgment. I do not have the $4,000 needed to do that. I can make payments, but they are unwilling to accept monthly payments now. What does a judgment do to you, your credit and your future borrowing power? What are the details so I can be informed?
Thanks!
-- Stephie
 Dear
Stephie,
Being in collections can feel like a nightmare, but being subjected to bullying tactics is even worse! Some collection agencies use the "judgment card" when talking with debtors to scare people such as you into paying their debt on the agency's schedule. The practice is despicable and most often untrue unless you have ignored previous collection attempts for a long time. In reality, most collectors try to avoid going to court to collect a bill because it requires getting a lawyer in your home state and sharing the fee! Unless you are seriously behind in your debt payments (as in more than six months) and have made no effort to pay, it is not likely the collection agency will file to receive a judgment on you.
I hope you are feeling better a little at this point.
Now, let me give you some information about judgments. When you
accepted the credit card, you gave the creditor the right to sue
you in court, if necessary, to collect the money it is due. As the
debtor, you would usually first receive a notice from an attorney
that if you don't pay or make arrangements with them (not the collector)
they will take legal action. This gives you a chance to make payment
arrangements and stop the process. If this fails, next you would
receive a notice or summons from the court regarding the debt owed
and that the creditor is suing to collect. The summons would advise
you of the court date and you have the option to defend the suit
in front of a judge.
After listening to both you and your creditor, the
court would determine how the debt must be repaid and you must abide
by the ruling.
Many people fail to show up at court. This is a big
mistake. Come prepared to show your sincerity and come with a plan
to repay the debt. If you decide not to attend the proceeding on
the scheduled court date, the judge would issue a judgment in favor
of the creditor for the amount owed. With a judgment the creditor
has the equivalent of a loaded legal gun pointed at you. But the
trigger has not yet been pulled.
You would then receive a Notice of Judgment from the
court that typically states you have 30 days to pay the debt. If
you do not pay, the creditor has a legal right to go back to court
to get a judgment execution order (this is pulling the trigger)
to use such actions as filing a lien against your home or other
property, wage garnishment (in states where this is permitted) or
seizing your personal property to collect the debt. If you own a
home and the creditor places a lien on it, you would have to pay
the lien before you can sell, refinance or obtain an equity loan.
You have the right to appeal the judgment, but if
you owe the money, it will only delay the inevitable. State laws
vary on judgments but it is not uncommon for a judgment to be valid
for up to 10 years, which gives the creditor a long time to work
on collecting the debt.
Needless to say, a judgment on your credit report
is a big negative mark as far as future borrowing power and may
have implications in job searches, promotions or even getting insurance.
Not as devastating as a bankruptcy, but enough to make life more
difficult and expensive than it already is.
Now that you understand more about this nightmare,
the logical next step is how to avoid a judgment. As I stated in
the beginning, I believe the collection agency may be threatening
a judgment to get you to pay a lump sum. I would recommend that
you determine what monthly amount you can afford and send it to
the agency, certified with a return receipt, with a written statement
that you will pay that amount each month until the balance is paid.
Most creditors will not turn down payment. However, if they do refuse
and return payment and send your account to a lawyer, repeat the
process with the attorney. Often you will get a favorable response.
If not, and they take you to court, you will have a copy of the
offer and proof it was received to show to the court that you made
a reasonable attempt to pay the debt.
I hope this answers your questions regarding judgments.
Good luck!
The Debt Adviser,
Steve Bucci, is the president of Money Management
International Financial Education Foundation and
the author of Credit
Repair Kit for Dummies. Visit MMI
for additional debt advice or to ask a question
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