General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Jailed for $280: The return of debtors' prisons [View all]happyslug
(14,779 posts)Thus UNLESS a Judgment has been entered, do NOT pay anything.
On the other hand this topic is in regards to actual JUDGMENTS. That is a different ball game, just appear in court and say you have no money. In most states that still retain arrest for debt that is all that is needed. Not only must the debtor appear, so must the Creditor. If the Creditor does NOT appear, ask for dismissal, but you have to obey any Court Orders, but a Judgement is NOT such an Order.
Just pointing out that in PRE-JUDGMENT cases it is in the best interest of the debtor NOT to make any payments, so when the Creditor does file the defense of Statute of Limitation is available. Each payment, no matter how small, extends the four year statute of limitations from the date the payment is made.