How to Find Out If You Have Judgments Against You (2024)
You can find judgments against you by searching online court databases, calling the court, checking your mail, or reviewing pay stubs for wage garnishment. Acting quickly after discovering a judgment protects you from wage garnishment and property seizure.
Answer Your LawsuitBorrowing money creates an obligation to repay. When you can’t make payments, lenders may take legal action. A successful debt lawsuit results in a court judgment against you.
Judgments severely impact your finances for years. The worst scenario? Having an outstanding judgment you don’t know about.
Respond to Your Debt Lawsuit Before Judgment
Don't let collectors win by default. Answer your lawsuit now and protect your wages from garnishment. Solo guides you through every step of filing your court response.
File Your Answer NowFinding judgments against you is crucial for regaining financial control. You can take action once you know what you’re facing.
What a Judgment Means for Your Finances
Courts typically notify you before entering a judgment. You’ll receive a Summons by mail or through in-person service. The Summons specifies when to appear in court or file a response.
Ignoring these deadlines leads to a default judgment. Default judgments are easily preventable by responding to the Summons.
A default judgment in debt collection gives collectors powerful rights. They can garnish your wages or seize your property. You must respond to debt lawsuits immediately after receiving notice.
Responding to a lawsuit before judgment helps you avoid severe consequences. Our partner Solo makes it easy to file your Answer and protect your rights.
Four Ways to Discover Judgments Against You
Multiple methods exist for checking judgment status. You can use online tools, contact courts, review mail, or examine your paycheck.
Search Online Court Records
Nearly all 50 states offer online court case search tools. You can find past and pending lawsuits by searching your name. Most court systems maintain public records accessible through their websites.
Online searches provide the fastest way to locate judgments. The table below links to each state’s case lookup system.
Contact the Court Directly
Call the court listed on your Summons if you received one. Ask the clerk if a judgment was entered in your case. Court staff can confirm judgment status over the phone.
Review Your Mail Carefully
Courts send judgment notifications by mail. You might miss these notices if you moved recently. Lost or misdelivered mail leaves you unaware of judgments.
Check all mail addressed to you, including previous addresses. Set up mail forwarding to catch court documents.
Check for Wage Garnishment
Wage garnishment appears on your paycheck. Creditors or collection agencies deduct funds automatically. Unexpected deductions often signal an existing judgment.
Review your pay stubs for unfamiliar withholdings. Contact your payroll department to identify the garnishment source.
State-by-State Court Case Search Tools
Why Credit Reports Don’t Show Judgments
Credit reports no longer display civil judgments. You can’t find judgment information by pulling your credit report.
Run a judgment search through a title company instead. County recorder’s offices also maintain judgment records. Credit reports may show the underlying debt but not the judgment itself.
Judgments can last up to 20 years in many states. Finding them early gives you more options for resolution.
Taking Action After Discovering a Judgment
Act immediately when you find a judgment against you. Judgments enable wage garnishment, bank account levies, and property liens.
Judgments also damage your ability to secure insurance, loans, or rental housing. Your financial options become severely limited.
The best strategy is responding before judgment occurs. Contact collectors to negotiate payment arrangements. Many collectors prefer settlement to lengthy court enforcement.
Our partner Solo helps you respond to debt lawsuits at any stage. You can file court responses, send collector letters, and negotiate settlements.
Options for Resolving Existing Judgments
You have several paths forward after a judgment:
- Negotiate a payment plan with the judgment creditor
- Request a judgment modification from the court
- Pay the full judgment amount to remove liens
- Settle the judgment for less than owed
- File for bankruptcy if judgments are overwhelming
Don’t ignore judgments hoping they’ll disappear. Creditors can renew judgments and continue collection efforts for decades.
How Solo Helps You Fight Debt Collectors
Solo makes debt resolution accessible and straightforward. You can respond to lawsuits, communicate with collectors, and settle debts online.
The Answer service guides you through responding to debt lawsuits. Solo asks necessary questions to complete your court response. An attorney reviews your document before filing.
SoloSettle enables direct negotiation with creditors and collectors. You can settle debts for less than owed entirely online. The platform simplifies and streamlines the settlement process.
Solo provides support wherever you are in debt collection. From initial demand letters to post-judgment enforcement, help is available.