collection legal terms

I need to know what a citaion is. We have a judgement form a unpaid medical bill.We were paying on it, but I guess it was not enough money. The lawyer for the hospital sent a garnishment letter to my husbands place of work and the last payment we made was on May 15. When we called his office to ask to speak with him he said he wouldn't discuss it until he recieved the information from his job. Today he called and said he was going to file a citation because of no payment since May. We didn't know if we were supposed to still pay or if they were going to take it out of his checks ,please help. Sally in IN.

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

Since your husband refused and / or failed to fill in the form voluntarily so that his wages could be garnished, the attorney has now "invited" your husband into court for a "command performance".

There, your husband will get into the witness stand and, in front of everyone in the courtroom, will be asked all sorts of questions.

This is called a Debtor's Hearing.

This is called "Embarassment to the Maximum".

You should hear the snickering that goes on in the peanut gallery during these hearings. But, I guess you will !

As part of the hearing, and the questioning, your husband will be forced to stand up and empty his pockets and turn them inside out. He will also be required to take off his shoes - - all in open court (people hide valuables in their shoes).

All valuables will then be taken away from your husband.

All information concerning cars, bank accounts, jobs, investments, and everything else, will be asked of your husband - - all geared to stripping him of what he owns in order to pay the debt.

If your husband refuses to go to court on the appointed date and time, a Bench Warrant for his immediate arrest and incarceration will be issued by the judge. And the hearing will still be held anyway. The only difference will be that your husband spends a few days in jail rather than going home after the hearing.

Good luck.

IAAL

[Edited by I AM ALWAYS LIABLE on 07-12-2001 at 03:11 AM]