QUESTION
How do I know if a judgement is still active?
Asked on Jun 19th, 2021 on Debtor and Creditor - Pennsylvania
More details to this question:
Unbeknownst to me, I never knew I had a judgement entered against me in 2007 until I recently received a list of interrogatories using the case number. I have not received, nor is there anything in the public records that show that the judgement was renewed. A few discrepancies have me questioning if the list of interrogatories is legitimate; for example the interrogatories do not seem to be from the attorney of record, the balance on the letter with the questions does not match the amount of the judgement, nor in the past 14 years has any one tried to collect this particular debt. Do I have to answer the interrogatories with out knowing if the debt can be collected?
1 ANSWER
I don't know where this judgment is from, but in New York judgments are enforceable for 20 years after entry. While you are not required to answer interrogatories relating to a judgment which is no longer enforceable, it is your responsibility to find out if it is enforceable. If you don't want to engage your own attorney, the clerk of the court may be able to help you ascertain how long the judgment is good, and if it has been revived. It is likely that this matter was turned over to a collection agency, which is why the attorney has changed. As for the amount, I imigine that it now includes the interest which has been running for 14 years.
Answered on Jun 19th, 2021 at 8:30 PM