How To Get Out Of Paying For A Judgement Against You

If you’re wondering whether there are ways on how to get out of paying a judgement, the answer is – YES.

In the event that you receive a judgment against you, here are four options you have in order to avoid paying it.

Attempt To Vacate A Judgement

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Vacating a judgement means asking the court to “set aside” the judgement.

When the judge agrees to vacate the judgement, this will delay the judgement creditor from collecting from you because that judgement will be legally void or invalid.

The creditor will no longer have the ability to immediately execute collection activities until after the judge issues a new judgement after a new trial date is set.

However, vacating a judgement is only possible if the judgement entered against you is a “default judgement”.

File A Claim Of Exemption

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There is some property and money that a judgement creditor is not allowed to take from you to pay a civil judgement.

These exempt incomes and properties can be secured by filing an exemption claim. This saves you the hassle of trying to recover your money or property.

Some of the common exemptions include:

 Federal Benefits & Support Payments

 Homestead & Property Exemption

• Wage Garnishment Exemption

Depending on the state where the judgement is filed, it is possible for you as a judgement debtor to be “judgement proof” or “collection proof”.

What this means is that all of your income and property cannot be taken or garnished from you because they are all considered exempt.

File For Bankruptcy To Discharge The Debt

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Consumer debts can be discharged via bankruptcy. If you’re looking for a way on how to stop a judgement for credit card debt or payday loans,it’s an option to consider.

While filing for bankruptcy is an extreme move, this is the only legal way for you to erase your debt and avoid paying a judgement altogether.

Settle With The Judgement Creditor

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This last option will not completely get you out of paying a judgement. However, it could lower the amount that you need to pay.

Instead of paying the full amount demanded by the creditor, you can negotiate and reach a settlement that is favourable to both parties.

Most creditors accept to settle for a lower amount rather than continuing to chase you to get payment.

If a judgment is entered against you, you still have ways on how to contest it if you want to delay, avoid, or settle debt collection.

Depending on your individual circumstances, you can explore the options we've listed to not pay a judgement.