Judgment out of state, didn't know.

[arrgy]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? GA

In late 2004 while living in CT, I was being sued for a $2400 debt. At that time the law firm that handled the case called me and informed me that they were going to continue the case and that I would be contacted with a new trial date since they were not ready. I said ok.

In the spring of 2005 I took a new job in VA and moved down there. On August 3, 2005 while living in VA they decided to go forward with the case and a judgment was placed against me, without me knowing about it. I still have the judgment letter from the court in 2005 showing my address as being in CT, even though I was living in Virginia. I have since forgotten all about it, until I looked today and saw it on my credit report. To this date, I haven't paid the judgment at all, and no one has contacted me about it in 3 years.

What, if any, remedy to I have to either vacate the judgment, or have it removed from my credit report. I don't really mind paying off the debt, I just want the judgment off the credit report. Now I am living in Ga.

[TN_Defender]

Too late to vacate the judgment. You had, at best, 30 days to enter a motion to vacate or file an appeal to a higher court.

Your choices now, as I see it:

1. Pay the judgment - which will most likely include post-judgment interest, too.

2. Ignore the judgment and hope the creditor doesn't find you and garnish your wages, levy your house, and/or levy your bank account.

I'm not certain how long Georgia judgments are "live," (meaning they can garnish you) but I'm guessing about 10 years.

The debt will stay on your credit report for about 10 years. If the judgment is 3 years old, then you've got 7 years to go. If you pay it, it'll still be on there - it will just show that it has been paid.