Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Florida
I had dental work done in 2005 done in TN. I owed a bill of $1000. In 2010 I was served a supeona from a debit collection firm that are lawyers who took me to court, and the judge ruled me to pay 2400$. I have since moved to FL, but now the amount with interest is up to 3400$. They cannot produce any documentation from the orginal debt, (they are the 3rd agency to have this), yet said they don't need need it since the judge ruled in their favor. Is that correct? and I tried to offer them a settlement of 400$(I have already payed 400$ but they turned it down stating they need the FULL amount. How much should I offer them.. I don't think I should pay 2300 in interest! THANKS!
2 Answers from Attorneys
If they have a TN judgment, they must first domesticate it into a Florida Judgment. The plaintiff can then seek full collection as interest accrues on a judgment.
Sounds like the creditor (the dentist) obtained a judgment against you in Tennessee in 2010. (That subpoena is was probably the summons and lawsuit. it doesn't sound like you responded to it, so the dentist obtained a judgment by default). Sounds like Tennessee has a fairly high interest rate. The fact there is a judgment entered means that the collection agency doesn't have to produce any documents from the underlying debt - the judgment is all that's needed. The collection agency can try to collect from you, but unless and until the judgment is domesticated into Florida, your wages or bank account cannot be garnished, etc. The judgment will continue to accrue interest, so it's in your best interest to make a serious effort to settle this debt sooner, rather than later.
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