Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in New Jersey

Hi, A "debt" is different than a "judgment". How long a "debt" is "good for" may depend upon many factors including the terms of the agreement you made to pay the debt. If the person you owed the debt to (the creditor) has not filed a court action to obtain a judgment for the debt, there may be a statute of limitations which stops the creditor from filing a case against you to collect the debt. The statute of limitations to enforce a contract is six years. It also matters who the creditor is (is it the State or a private person?). You would have to provide more information about what the debt is about, how it arose, whether it is a judgment or not, etc.

If the creditor went to court and obtained a judgment and docketed it in the Upper Courts and the creditor is a private citizen, the judgment lasts twenty years in the State of New Jersey. After that, the creditor would have to have the judgment docketed again so that it continues as a judgment against you and shows up in a search of the state records.

If the creditor has a judgment, the best thing to do is negotiate to pay less than what is owed. Most creditors will agree to accept less money now than wait for no money down the road.

I hope this information helps you.

Regards, Tina

Did they get a court judgment against you? If yes, then the judgment can be enforced for 20 years. If not, then 6 years is the longest statute of limitations. I would need to know more about this to tell you what the situation is.

Why don't you call me (the call is free) and I will try to help you out.

Robert Davies, Attorney 201 820 3460