     Anonymous | Tuesday, March 07, 2000 - 10:46 am 
FYI to your readers. 2 years ago I got into a conflict with a local Dry Cleaners (they ruined one of my suits and refused to replace/pay for it), so I refused to pay for the cleaning. They sued me in small claims court. I lost. Within 24 hours I paid the cleaners. However, I now have a "judgement" on my credit report.
Moral - if a civil issue is going to be decided in court (and it is a trivial amount), BE AS CLOSE TO 100% CERTAIN YOU WILL WIN - the risk of losing is a judgement on your credit report for 10 years. |
| kristy welsh - creditinfocenter.com | Tuesday, March 07, 2000 - 02:29 pm
Actually, it's only 7 years. |
| Anonymous | Tuesday, March 07, 2000 - 07:57 pm
Wow, this is illuminating!
If I file a small claims suit against my neighbor whose dog caused damage to my lawn....and I lost for whatever reason....does that mean that I would have a judgement against me? Or is it only when you are the defendant and you lose? |
| Don | Wednesday, March 08, 2000 - 04:35 am
In NY, a paid judgement only stays on for 5 years (10 yrs for unpaid.) But don't know if any other states have simliar deviations from the rule. |
| Anonymous | Wednesday, March 08, 2000 - 05:39 am
If you file and lose, you get nothing, and there is no judgement. If you file and win, the person you "beat" has a judgement against him for the amount you "won". If you file, and he files a counter-suit against you (common), then it is possible that he could be awarded damaged against you - then you would have a judgement against you.
Bottom line - if someone WINS money, the person who LOST has the judgement. |
| don | Thursday, March 09, 2000 - 04:19 am
I need to correct my mistake. NY paid 5 years, unpaid 7 years. |
