Q: How long can I purchase a civil judgment for, after the plaintiff files chpt7 BK?!

A: If a discharge was entered in the bankruptcy, you are permanent enjoined from attempting to enforce them against any debtor. The only judgments that might have value would be the ones where discharge was never granted in that case.

A: If the debt collection agency was a corporation (or llc, etc.), it is not eligible for a bankruptcy discharge, although it can file for bankruptcy relief.

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy case is usually short-lived, a "liquidation case". Normally, the Ch. 7 bankruptcy trustee will assess the value of the debtor's assets, and if worthwhile, assets of value will be sold with proceeds distributed to creditors on a pro rata basis, after payment of priority and administrative debts.

If the assets are not deemed to be of sufficient value, or there are no buyers, the bankruptcy trustee will "abandon" those assets as "burdensom" to the bankrupt estate, which means that the valueless assets revert back to the debtor, subject to whatever liens may have attached, as if the bankruptcy (as to those abandoned assets) had never been filed.

Given the facts you present, most probably the judgments against others, now stale, have been abandoned, meaning that they have reverted to the debtor, and are not part of the bankruptcy estate.

If you wish to acquire those judgments, I highly recommend that you first speak to an experienced bankruptcy attorney to evaluate your facts, especially the trustee's abandonment. Thereafter, whoever is the contact for the debtor is the one to approach about any purchase.

A: If the debts were discharged in bankruptcy, then they are not collectible and are undoubtedly worthless. Also, even if not discharged, they are likely uncollectible because the statutes of limitation have expired (depends on state law),

A: In bankruptcy proceedings, assets, including judgments held by the bankrupt company, can be sold to pay off creditors. However, the specifics depend on the case and what the bankruptcy trustee decides. If the judgments were not liquidated during the Chapter 7 proceedings and remain assets of the estate, theoretically, they could be available for purchase even after the bankruptcy is closed, depending on local laws and the specific terms of the bankruptcy closure.

However, before considering the purchase of such judgments, you should assess their value and enforceability. Judgments typically have a lifespan determined by state law, and in Pennsylvania, this is generally 20 years from the date of the judgment, subject to renewal. If the judgments are nearing the end of their enforceability period or if the debtors have no assets, they might indeed be considered worthless. It's crucial to evaluate these factors before making any purchase.

If interested in purchasing these judgments, it would be wise to consult with a legal professional experienced in debt collection and bankruptcy proceedings in Pennsylvania. They can provide guidance on the purchase process, help assess the value of these judgments, and ensure that any transaction complies with legal requirements. Additionally, they can assist in determining if the judgments are still enforceable and worth the investment.