Q: I had a default judgment 18 months ago for a credit card I did not pay, but they did not contact me anymore, what this

A: A judgment in Texas is typically valid for ten years and can be renewed. There are a few options for addressing a judgment when the creditor is not attempting to collect. For example, some people simply wait until they hear from the creditor or a collection agency. This may buy time, but also may mean that the judgment is levied abruptly with a wage garnishment or other collection activity. Some choose to reach out to the creditor and initiate payment arrangements. The starting point for this would generally be contacting the attorney who obtained the judgment on behalf of the creditor. Depending on the nature of the debt, bankruptcy may be another option--most unsecured debt can be eliminated entirely.

A local lawyer would be in a better position to look at the judgment and other aspects of your financial situation and advise you regarding your options.

*David Levin is the Partner in charge of UpRight Law's consumer rights litigation department. UpRight Law is a national law firm with licensed attorneys providing bankruptcy and consumer legal services in all 50 states. He is licensed in Illinois, Ohio and West Virginia, as well as several United States District Courts. He has 22 years of litigation experience, the last 18 of which have been focused on consumer rights litigation. This response is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. For legal advice, consult an attorney licensed in your state with the appropriate expertise.