Is There a Judgment Against Me Without My Knowledge?

You borrowed money and agreed to pay it back. When you don’t, creditors can sue you.

You should receive notification about the lawsuit. If you ignore it, you’ll lose by default judgment. A judgment damages your finances and credit for years.

Sometimes you discover a judgment exists without ever knowing about the lawsuit. You need to address it immediately.

What a Judgment Means for You

Judgments happen when creditors win their case against you in court. Once they have a judgment, creditors can pursue aggressive collection methods.

They can take your money through wage garnishment. They can freeze your bank accounts. They can place liens on your property.

Judgments include the original debt plus interest and attorney fees. The total amount grows significantly beyond what you originally owed.

A judgment occurs in two situations:

• You don’t appear in court to defend yourself
• The court determines the debt legally belongs to you

How You’ll Discover a Judgment Exists

You might find out about a judgment in shocking ways. Creditors don’t always warn you before taking action.

Wage Garnishment

Your paycheck suddenly shrinks without warning. Creditors can legally take 10 to 25 percent of your weekly wages. You receive less money every payday until the debt is satisfied.

Frozen Bank Accounts

You try to access your money and can’t. Creditors freeze your account without notification. You have no access to your funds for daily expenses.

Property Liens

You own real estate but can’t sell or refinance it. The creditor places a lien that must be paid first. In some counties, liens attach automatically when judgments are recorded.

Need help responding to a debt lawsuit? Our partner Solo helps you answer in 15 minutes.

Why Judgments Happen Without Your Knowledge

You should always receive proper notice of a lawsuit. Unfortunately, many people get judgments without ever knowing they were sued.

Common reasons you miss the lawsuit:

• You never received the summons in the mail
• You recently moved and mail went to your old address
• The collector used improper service methods

Sewer Service Explained

Sewer service is illegal but happens frequently. Collectors claim they served you properly when they didn’t. You never learn about the lawsuit. You never respond. You lose automatically.

The first time you hear about it? When your wages are garnished or accounts are frozen.

How to Check for Judgments

Judgments don’t always appear on credit reports. You need to search actively to find them.

Call the court listed on any summons you received. Ask if a judgment was filed against you. Provide your full name and any case numbers you have.

If you suspect you were sued without knowing, contact your local courthouse. Give them your first and last name. Ask if any lawsuits or judgments exist against you.

Check multiple courts if you’ve lived in different counties recently.

What to Do When You Find a Judgment

Act immediately when you discover a judgment. You have options even after losing in court.

You can file a motion to vacate the judgment if service was improper. You must prove you never received proper notice of the lawsuit.

You can negotiate a settlement with the creditor. Many accept less than the full judgment amount for immediate payment.

You can set up a payment plan to satisfy the judgment over time. Payment plans prevent garnishment and account freezes.

Our partner Solo helps you respond to debt collectors and negotiate settlements effectively.

Preventing Future Judgments

Always respond to debt collection letters and summons. Ignoring them guarantees you’ll lose.

Update your address with creditors when you move. Proper notification protects your right to defend yourself.

Keep records of all debt communications. Document phone calls, letters, and payment history.

Respond within the deadline stated on any summons. Most states give you 20 to 30 days to answer.

You have defenses available even if the debt is yours. Statute of limitations, incorrect amounts, and improper documentation can win your case.

Your Rights Against Unfair Judgments

You have legal protections even after a judgment. Federal and state laws limit what creditors can take.

Wage garnishment can’t exceed 25 percent of disposable earnings. Some income types are completely protected from garnishment.

Social Security benefits, disability payments, and unemployment are usually exempt. Creditors can’t touch these funds in most cases.

You can challenge improper service and request the judgment be vacated. Courts will reopen cases when proper service didn’t occur.

Time limits apply to how long judgments remain enforceable. After expiration, creditors lose collection power.