Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Indiana

judgement and contempt of court

Hi I live in TN, but received a letter from the vanderburgh county small claims court to appear for possible contempt on judgement case from 1995 from debt owed in 1993. also possible garnishment.

First question is can they garnish me when I'm 3 states away? second I was not there when the judgement was passed in 1995 and never received papers. they say I made payments for 2 yrs but I didnt . My parents must have cause I was in florida but their both dead now.can they make me go to court in IN and can they get me for contempt when I never received paperwork on it and found out last year about it because they have been accessing my credit report without my permission making my score go down. which i believe is illegal and financial blackmail.

It will cost me 2 days pay to go to IN and at least 100 in gas plus hotel but the collections dept for the law firm wont work with me and wont let me talk to the lawyer who signed the paperwork.

I just want to settle this they are trying to charge me 3300.00 on a 1500. bill I just want to take care of it so i dont have to go to court or go to jail for contempt please help me. its may 2 court date i have a month to figure this out.


Asked on 3/28/08, 2:04 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Samuel Hasler Samuel Hasler

Re: judgement and contempt of court

Indiana's civil jurisdiction ends at its border. You cannot be compelled to return to Vanderburgh County for the hearing. However, the court can issue a body attachment which would be effective if you were to return to Vanderburgh County (yes, there are exceptions and specifications to this but it is a general rule).

Garnishment would be a different matter. If you work for some company doing business in Indiana, then you could be garnished.

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Answered on 3/28/08, 9:20 am


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