General Garnishment

[mastervalek]

What is the name of your state?Washington State

In 2002, I was evicted from an apartment. They stated that i owed them money and turned it over to United Collections. They contacted me. The debt is $4500+. I have never denied this debt as it is valid. They(united Collections) notified me at work and I attemted to make payment arrangements of $200 a month which is 25% of my earnings. They refused my arrangement and said they would garnish or I could file bankrupcy they didnt care. If I could come up with half of the debt then they would accept my payments. I could not do this. My wife and I together only make 1100 a month. Anyway I contacted the judge, attorney, and collection agency in response to judgement and never heard back. My questions are as follows:

1: Is there anyway I can avoid the garnishment besides bankrupcy?

2: I would like to resign from my job(not related to garnishment; work environment issues). Can I do this without penalty to me or my employer with pending garnishment?

Thank you

Mastervalek

 

[Tayla]

1. Correspond via certified mail return receipt. Negotiations via phone are simply stressing and mostly futile when dealing with debt payments.Writing down what you are willing/able to pay will aid you. Save any written response you receive.
2. A garnishment may be an avenue they can persue only AFTER they win a judgement against you. Check your local court where they would have filed. There would be a docket record if they won. Had you been served/summoned?
3. If no judgement has been placed ,Suggest to the collections agency that Mediation is an option to even going to court. Sometimes mediation resolves the matters of payment plan or how best to settle matters without a court session.( you might have to pay a fee for the mediator)
4. Could you maybe take out a personal loan to pay them then make your own monthly payments?
5. I'm not sure there are legal ramifications for quiting your job when a garnisment is involved. Mostly, like I said earlier, a Judgement would have had to transpire for them to even go this route with your employer.