Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California
Type Your Question Here. A ranch sued me for boarding charges of a racehorse. The judge ruled against me. I received a proposed judgment from the ranch's attorney. It did not have the Judge's signature. It is proposing I pay $18,000. Am I obligated to pay it now? Albert
1 Answer from Attorneys
The other party is required to send to you the form of judgment before the court signs and enters it. Your signature doesn't mean that you agree with the judgment, but only that it is in proper form, faithfully recites what the judge ordered, and doesn't include anything extra or misstates the ruling. Once you return the proposed judgment with your signature approving it as to form, the judge will enter the judgment. After that, you may pay the judgment. Or, you can pay now and perhaps negotiate with the other attorney to dismiss the case in exchange for a release, so you won't have a judgment on your record.