Going to Jail if I don't pay

What is the name of your state? Illinois

After some lengthy math, and the delayed submission of five year old medical bills, I suddenly owe about $5000 to my ex.
The judge says if I don't come up with the money in full, I will be incarcerated for contempt. He'll see me in a week, with the belief that I will come up with the money if I am incarcerated.
I don't have the money and I don't have enough credit.
If I am incarcerated, I'll also lose my job.
Any suggestions of an argument to make in court tomorrow?

[annefan]

Originally posted by decemberadult
What is the name of your state? Illinois

After some lengthy math, and the delayed submission of five year old medical bills, I suddenly owe about $5000 to my ex.
The judge says if I don't come up with the money in full, I will be incarcerated for contempt. He'll see me in a week, with the belief that I will come up with the money if I am incarcerated.
I don't have the money and I don't have enough credit.
If I am incarcerated, I'll also lose my job.
Any suggestions of an argument to make in court tomorrow?

You just made your argument. Also include a proposal for making acceptable payments until the debt is paid.

for those of you interested, here is some closure.
No payment plan was acceptable, including my offer of 1/2 payment and $1000 per month (a bit more than I could afford).
The judge was ready to incarcerate me. I called my boss to 'fess' up and let him know I'd be missing my flight and giving him the priviledge to fire me. He lent me the money out of his own pocket.
The fact that the money was wired transferred and I had to write a post dated check (tomorrow) was not even good enough and they were ready to incarcerate me until the check cleared. The ex's lawyer finally relented on that one, while he held the check in his hand.
Lesson learned? Don't expect justice in those court rooms first of all. I'm glad to be able to pay my debt, of course, but the ex was willing to have me lose my job, my ability to pay her, and my freedom to show me who's boss. Good thing my boss is so understanding and HE will accept my payment plan.
Thanks for your input.

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

Well, I hate to say it, but I will anyway - - "I told you so."

Reference my responses to your other thread concerning the same fact scenario.

Copy and paste this link into your browser without the [URL] on each side:

[url]http://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?threadid=123604[/url]

IAAL

[JETX]

I doubt that the concerns of Mr. Decemberadult just 'happened' all at once without EXTENSIVE opportunities for his compliance with the court.

If you don't abide the courts orders, the court is very likely to ignore pleas of poverty, incorrect billing, poor record keeping, etc. and DEMAND that you comply with their order.

So, REAL lesson learned.....
Pay your debts as ordered by the courts in a timely manner.

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

Translations of our responses to you?

Here's a pile of crap. We're rubbing your nose in it.

IAAL

[HomeGuru]

would a dog ever learn?