Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Judgements

Hi,

I lived in an apartment for 2 months. i found out the landlord rented it to me for 2 reasons he needed the money and I worked with him. I padi 1st and last and I found out he was planning on selling the place. i know he was supposed to disclose this but did not. So I was going to get out of there. I got the court notice and went but I had no money for an attorney so i got a judgement against me. I tried to talk to the guy but he over charged me for the place I moved out of and too much in atty fees so I would owe 4500.00 for what should have been 1800,00 max no the atty pulls my credit every few months and has attempted to garnish my wages (which I can't afford) and has sent the sheriff to my job which I could have lost due to this what saved me was I was am independent contractor with my company but I am about to be put on payroll and he keeps pulling my credit. Is there anything I can do to protect myself until I can get the money together?


Asked on 10/21/07, 9:22 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert L. Bennett Law offices of Robert L. Bennett

Re: Judgements

You have a judgment against you (as you know), and not having an attorney did not help (as you also know).

You can retain an attorney, and petition to open the judgment (meaning it will be set aside), but that is unlikely based on your facts, and you cannot afford an attorney.

Based on your zip code, I assume you are in Long Beach, and Legal Aid will probably help you.

The problem is that, even if you set aside the judgment, you still have the same problems, but only delayed.

My best suggestion is to retain an attorney for the limited purpose of making some sort of deal with the plaintiff's attorney, because there is basically no way to stop the collection process once it has reached this stage.

I know it is too late to give you a "lecture", but, you have caused much of these problems by waiting so long to ask for advice, and help, from a lawyer. Next time, do not procrastinate! You could have avoided much, or all, of this.

If you need more, please feel free to e-mail, or call, my office.

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Answered on 10/22/07, 9:21 am


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