Do you suspect you may have been sued and don’t know it? There’s a way to discover the truth. You can search for NJ judgments in various ways.
This article will provide the low-down on what a judgment is and how you can find out if you’re in hot water.
What is a Judgement?
A judgment is the official result of a court lawsuit. In most cases, you will know if a judgment has been filed against you because you will have gone to court and testified.
However, smaller crimes like owing debts could result in judgments you don’t know about. If you did not pay a debt, the creditor or lender may bring a lawsuit. If the court orders a judgment against you, they will win the case.
NJ judgements can negatively impact your financial situation for years to come. A quick search can help you find the judgment and take steps to reverse or reduce a negative outcome.
How Can a Judgment Impact You?
In most instances, you’ll know if there is a judgment against you. Many notices would have been served, as well as possibly a summons, perhaps mailed or served in person.
The summons tells you when to show up in court or gives you a deadline for filing a response.
If you do not follow the summons guidelines, a default judgment will be entered against you, possibly ruining your financial standing. Debt collectors may be able to garnish your wages or even seize your property.
You can prevent this from happening by responding to your summons as soon as possible.
How to Find Out If You Have a Judgement Against You
If you don’t know whether you have a judgment filed against you, you should find out. Doing so will allow you to deal with the matter and prevent dire financial consequences.
There are several ways you can find out if you have any NJ judgements against you. These include:
- Call the Court: Your local court will be able to tell you if there is a summons against you.
- Check the Mail: You may not have received a summons because you recently changed addresses. In this case, you may be able to contact local mail services to track down lost documents.
- See if You Have a Wage Garnishment: If you notice that your wages are being garnished, it may be because there is a judgment against you and the court has decided that a garnishment is the best way to repay your creditors.
- Look Online: The easiest way to search for NJ judgments is to look online. Several registered sites provide you with the needed information, all you need to do is enter your name and the platform will be able to locate your legal records.
What To Do If There Is a Judgement Against You
If you receive a summons due to debt, it’s best to pay it off immediately. You may be able to negotiate with the creditor to have the debt lowered or to work out a payment plan.
If you don’t act fast, and a judgment is issued, it’s still best to pay it off immediately. Not doing so can damage your credit. The debt may also accumulate interest at a rate of up to 10% a year.
Once a judgment is issued, the creditor may attempt to acquire the money you owe them through wage garnishment, or they may go after other assets, such as money or property.
If the creditor goes after your money or property, you may be able to claim an exception for a levy. The judge will hold a hearing on the exception, and if ruled in your favor, the money or property will be returned.
If you owe a debt, it’s smart to search for an NJ judgment. Allowing you to take steps to mitigate the matter.
