Old Judgment Collection Attempts

What is the name of your state? New Jersey.

I recieved a letter from a judgment collection attorney house in California regarding an old judgment from an apartment I vacated 9 years ago. The judgment has already been removed from my C/R and I have not heard from anyone on this matter for 7 years. I read on the internet that if you agree to pay an old judgment that has been removed from yoru credit history, the creditors have a right to put it back on. Is this true? The judgment is for $1700 and I am hesitant to send any money to name on a letter head. What should I do?

Jason

[JETX]

Can't tell you what you should do (that is your decision), but I can tell you that you have some 'facts' wrong.

When was the judgment rendered??

In CA, a judgment is good for 10 years and renewable for another 10 years. Since your post says that the debt was incurred 9 years ago, we have to assume that the judgment is even newer than that. If correct, the judgment would be valid and enforcable.

As for your question of showing on the credit report, the judgment can be noted on your file anytime that it is still valid.

Dear Halket

Thank you for replying so quickly. You are right, I did have my facts wrong. The judgment date was July of 1992, the apartment was vacated by my ex-wife Aug of 1991.

Either way, it sounds like I need to take care of this and do the right thing. I guess my biggest concern was sending money to a faceless c/a in California, 3000 miles away. But if they have the facts, they must have the judgment.

Thanks again. From reading all these posts on this site you are obviously a tremendous help to a lot of people. And I'm one of them.

JasonR

[JETX]

First, thank you for your comments... they are appreciated.

Second, before you send the money off.... some things you might consider:
1) There are a lot of bottom-feeding, scum-sucking debt collectors out there who will make all types of threats and even impersonate an attorney in their attempt to make your money into their money. Call the atttorney's office who sent the letter and ask them to send you a 'validation' of the debt. For sample letters, go to: [url]http://www.creditinfocenter.com/forms/[/url]

2) Also, there is no reason why you couldn't try to negotiate a lesser amount for an 'immediate' easy payment. Start your negotiation with about 40% of the amount claimed.

3) Finally, be sure to get ANY settlement agreement in writing and try to negotiate a good credit report also. Try to get them to give you a '1' or '2' (paid as agreed or nearly paid as agreed). These will help your credit rating for your 'acceptance of responsibility'.