For how long is a civil judgment valid?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
For how long is a civil judgment valid?
I just received notice from a lawyer stating that back in 1992 an old landlord brought me to court for non-payment of 1 weeks rent ($275). I was not aware of this court case as I moved to CA in 1991 (the landlord knew this also as that was the last apartment we had in MA). With interest of almost 20 years, the balance owed is over $900. This is the first time I heard of this claim against me and really don’t know what to do as I do not have receipts that far back.
Asked on July 20, 2011 Rhode Island
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
In most States there is a requirement that a judgment against a person must be renewed after the expiration of 10 years from the judgment. Otherwise it is no longer good. Some States allow a judgment to have a maximum term if renewed timely under the State's laws, for example 30 years or so.
For a judgment to be renewed, the judgment creditor must send notice to the judgment debtor about the renewal attempt and file papers for such with the court.
Ask the lawyer who wrote you to send you a copy of any renewals on the judgment. Most likely there is none. If not, potentially the judgment against you may have expired.
Good luck.
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
In most States there is a requirement that a judgment against a person must be renewed after the expiration of 10 years from the judgment. Otherwise it is no longer good. Some States allow a judgment to have a maximum term if renewed timely under the State's laws, for example 30 years or so.
For a judgment to be renewed, the judgment creditor must send notice to the judgment debtor about the renewal attempt and file papers for such with the court.
Ask the lawyer who wrote you to send you a copy of any renewals on the judgment. Most likely there is none. If not, potentially the judgment against you may have expired.
Good luck.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.