Q: Am I responsible for entire judgment if co-tenant is missing?
I rented a house in Pittsburgh, PA, with a friend and we were both taken to court by our landlord, who won a judgment for $5,600 against us for damages. Although we are both named on the court papers, the landlord's lawyer claims I am responsible for the entire amount, possibly because my friend cannot be located. My bank account has been frozen as part of this process. What can I do in this situation, and am I truly responsible for the whole judgment amount?
A: You and your co-judgment debtor are each responsible for 100% of the judgment amount. if the other guy can't be found, refuses to pay, etc., its all on you. Landlord's attorney is 100% correct.
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A:
I understand how difficult and stressful this situation must be. In Pennsylvania, if both you and your co-tenant are listed on the lease and the court judgment, you're both typically jointly and severally liable. This means that the landlord can hold either of you responsible for the entire amount of the judgment, even if one of you is missing. The landlord's lawyer may be pursuing you because they cannot locate your co-tenant, but legally, they can still seek the full amount from you.
Since your bank account has been frozen, you should contact the creditor (the landlord's lawyer) to discuss payment options or negotiate a settlement. It's possible that the lawyer will agree to a payment plan if you explain your situation. You can also ask the court for relief or to revisit the judgment, especially if you're facing significant financial hardship due to the missing co-tenant.
If your co-tenant is found later and you're both held liable for the full amount, you may be able to seek reimbursement from them through a separate legal action. For now, it’s important to stay proactive—contact a local attorney or legal aid organization to discuss how to protect your finances and address the judgment.
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