Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Missouri

Judgment against Social Security recipient

Write it off as a bad debt. You'll sepnd more money trying to collect itthan it is worth and, in all likelihood, endup with nothing but more debt.

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Have you recorded it and/or seen a lawyer?

I do not know what the laws in your state are, but in Louisiana (where I am) if you take your judgment to the Clerk of Court for the County/Parish where the judgment debtor (i.e., your former tenant) lives and pay a fee, you can RECORD your judgment in the county public records and that serves as a judicial mortgage (i.e., lien) against the judgment debtor for at least 10 years (renewable after that). The purpose and benefit of this is that should your judgment debtor buy, sell or inherit property, a title and records search will be performed and the judgment discovered--it must then be paid off first before the sale goes through or the inheritance is distributed. I would recommend, however, that you pay a local lawyer who handles collection of debts for a short consultation on your rights. limitations and options regarding recovery of this judgment--the money you spend may save you a great deal of time and effort. Failure to consult a lawyer about your state's laws may result in a partial/complete loss of your rights.