Collection company to sue her

[kterzini]

What is the name of your state? NJ. My sister who lives in NJ was put in a collection agency for non payment of a cell phone bill. Her daughter who is over 21 ran the bill up. The phone was my sister's and I know she was responsible to pay the bill. She started a payment plan and then could no longer afford to make the payments. The agency sent her a certified letter saying they were starting legal proceedings for $1706.58. She really does not have the money to pay them. She does have a house with a Farmer's Home, 35 year mortgage. I think she probably owes more on the house than it is worth on the market. If the collection company gets a judgement, can they garnish her wages? If they put a lean on her house, how long in NJ does a judgement last. Please help. I would pay this for her if I could, but I don't have the money either.

 

[Ladynred]

Yes, they can garnish wages in NJ.

Judgments in NJ are for 10 years and can be renewed at least once for another 10, so they can stick around for a long time.

They could place lien on her home and that would stick until the judgment is paid or until she sells or tries to re-fi the house if it goes unpaid.

 

[skirklan]

the cell phone & the teenager

There is an alternative to sitting there and waiting to be sued. Call your local Better Business Bureau and ask about Consumer Credit Counseling Companies in your area (non-profit only). Make an appointment and ask them to help you with this bill. They will negotiate with the collection agency and set up a reasonable payment plan. Then you can relax as long as you make regular payments according to the plan.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

Your sister allowed her daughter to run up a $1,700.00 phone bill? Your sister is a completely, and an unredeemingly, lousy parent! Your sister deserves whatever happens to her to teach her a lesson!

Oh, and what's her lazy-ass spoiled brat of a daughter doing to help her mother to pay this debt? Probably nothing, right? That's why you mentioned that YOU can't help your sister, because your niece is a skank, and won't help her mother. Figures.

IAAL