Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Pennsylvania

Re: Judgements

You asked how long a judgment will remain on a credit report.

Judgments are different than most other items on a credit report. Whereas most negative items must be removed after seven years judgments remain for as long as the statute allows them. This is usually 20 years. Judgments are not considered negative items but are in fact public information. There are basically two ways to have judgments removed. The first is to satisfy the judgment and provide a copy of the Satisfaction of Judgment to the consumer reporting agency(ies). The other method lies in claiming bankruptcy and having the underlying debt discharged. In the latter case the item then is limited to the seven years rule. But many judgments are no longer dischargable in bankruptcy. This is as opposed to many items which are either dischargeable or conditionally dischargeable.

You should speak with an attorney to see what can be done about this judgment.

Regards,

Roger Traversa