Rancho Cucamonga Lawsuit & Judgment Lawyer
Court judgments are a type of unsecured debt. Maybe you were sued for failing to pay back a loan or because you crashed into someone’s car and damaged it. The person who sued you receives a court judgment when they win the case. This judgment states how much money you need to pay the person who sued you.
Debtors should know that they have several options for getting out of this debt. The team at Wadhwani & Shanfeld will discuss the different techniques available for reducing or even wiping out court judgments. Call us today to speak with a Rancho Cucamonga lawsuit & judgment lawyer at our firm.
Options for Tackling Court Judgments
A court judgment is a type of debt that you might be facing. The person who wins a judgment is called the “judgment creditor.” Here are some options our attorneys can help you pursue:
- Challenge the validity of the debt. Some collection agencies buy old debt in bulk. They might pay only a few pennies on the dollar, and then they reach out to debtors asking them to pay. You have a right to demand proof that you owe the debt. Ask for evidence. The debt collector should have documentation to show you really took out a loan and the amount.
- Negotiate a settlement. The judgment creditor might agree to accept less than what they won in court. This way, they at least get something. You also win because you pay less than the full amount owed. Our lawyers can negotiate a settlement on your behalf. Typically, you’ll have leverage in negotiations if you face enduring financial difficulties, like a disability or job loss.
- File for bankruptcy. You can eliminate certain court judgments in bankruptcy, especially those related to medical debt, credit cards, loans, and some personal injury lawsuits. You can’t eliminate any judgment related to drunk driving, fraud, or family law obligations (like child support or alimony). Consult an attorney to see if your judgment can be discharged in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which you can complete in a few months. This is a convenient option for wiping out a judgment against you.
Filing for bankruptcy can also halt any ongoing litigation, at least until your bankruptcy case is over. This is the power of the automatic stay, which brings all collection actions to a grinding halt. We have sometimes used bankruptcy to stop wage garnishment, for example.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Once a judgment creditor wins a case, you need to act fast. They can take collection action to finally get you to pay. Common techniques include levying bank accounts, garnishing your wages, or even putting a lien on your home. If a lien is placed on your property, then the debt is no longer unsecured. It’s much harder to remove a lien, so reach out to us today.
A Rancho Cucamonga lawsuit & judgment lawyer at Wadhwani & Shanfeld can meet at a convenient time to review the state of the court judgment, as well as your finances. We can swing into action to protect your finances from a judgment creditor.
