Greensboro, NC asked in Collections for North Carolina

Q: I have a judgement that is in the clerk of courts, what should I do?

this judgement has been in existence since 2008, I thought it was no longer there, when I did not see it on my credit. I am in the process of purchasing a home. The clerk at the courthouse said I could pay it off or make payments. Is there a way I can contact the Law firm that this judgement was appointed and make an offer for a lower sum. I have already been approved for my home loan, but I do not want any problems when I get ready to close. I would like to get this taken care of. What Should I Do, Please Help

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2 Lawyer Answers
Paige Kurtz
Paige Kurtz
Answered
  • Collections Lawyer
  • Raleigh, NC
  • Licensed in North Carolina

A: Do not payment the judgment or make payments. If the judgment was entered in 2008, it has expired, unless the creditor filed an action to renew the judgment for an additional ten years. If the judgment was renewed, meaning there should be a new judgment with a more recent date, then you do need to contact the law firm or the creditor and try to resolve it. If the judgment was not renewed, it is expired and is no longer collectible. I would dispute it with the credit agency.

Lynn Ellen Coleman agrees with this answer

1 user found this answer helpful

Lynn Ellen Coleman
Lynn Ellen Coleman
Answered
  • KERNERSVILLE, NC
  • Licensed in North Carolina

A: Ms. Kurtz is correct. It does not go by the date the lawsuit was filed. If a new lawsuit to renew a judgment is not filed within 10 years after the date the judgment was signed, the judgment expired. Do NOT pay anything until you are absolutely certain the judgment has been renewed. You should take the specifics to an attorney for specific advice. If it has been less than 10 years since the judgment was signed, you can contact the law firm who took the Judgment or the creditor who took the judgment and negotiate a payoff. Be sure to get something in writing with the terms of the agreement before you pay. Make sure there is a promose that the creditor will notify the Clerk that the judgment has been fully satisfied by a specific date. Sometimes it takes creditors or their attorneys over 30 days to get this done.

1 user found this answer helpful

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