Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Minnesota
debt collection
I owe an old dentist bill from about 2years ago. Can my wages be garnished without first having a court hearing?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: debt collection
If you've been sued ( received a Summons and COmplaint) then YES, 40 days after service.
Re: debt collection
You have to be sued before your wages can be garnished. However, being sued means that you have papers give to you (or sent to you,in conciliation court) and the time to respond goes by. There will likely NOT be an actual "meet the judge" hearing if you do not formally respond.
You say nothing about the amount of the bill, etc.; you might consult with a consumer credit counseling agency to see if they can help. If this is just the tip of the iceberg, you might want to consult an attorney who does a fair amount of bankruptcy work.