How to Stop a Judgment
- 1). Contact the plaintiff (the person suing you) or her attorney once you are served with a notice of being sued. This especially works well when it comes to a past due debt for which you are being sued. Try to see if you can work out the situation without going to court. Get any an agreement in writing. If you are accused of hurting a person or his property, you likely need to find an attorney to represent you and make the negotiations on your behalf. Almost any attorney can defend you in a basic civil lawsuit.
- 2). Attend court of the day of your lawsuit hearing, whether you were able to come to an agreement. Tell the judge your side of the story. If you have witnesses to support your case (this works only when you are being sued for an alleged improper action on your part such as injuring someone or destroying property) make sure they are in court.
- 3). Explain to the judge that you want to work the matter out if this is a lawsuit concerning a past due debt. Likely the judge will give you some time to try to repay the money and reconvene all parties at a later date.
- 4). Appeal your case to a higher court if you lose. This requires you or your lawyer to fill out a simple appeals form with the court that decided your original case. Even if a judgment is entered against you, a higher court may be able to reverse the case and you would have the public record removed from your credit report and any monies or assets seized returned.
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