Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Texas

Civil Judgement

Hello...

I received a default judgement in SCC in Dec, 1999. I

was not told I would have to file an Abstract of

Judgement in order to have this placed on the

Defendants credit report.

I assume that since I have filed with the county

clerk's office, it will become part of "public

Records".

Now, the defendant in this case WILL NEVER pay this

judgement. Lack of integrity.

Can this individual purchase things such as cars,

homes, etc. while this judgement still stand?

Also, When this "public record" expires from the

credit bureaus 7 year time limit, do I have to file

another Abstract of Judgement to keep it on the

defendants credit report indefinately?

Please advise.

This is very important to me.

Thank you for yo


Asked on 6/13/00, 11:48 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
James Grissom Law Office of James P. Grissom

Re: Civil Judgement

Judgments ordinarily prevent debtors from purchasing new cars, new homes, acquiring bank debt, etc. Naturally, crafty debtors utilize other means to purchase these items. Your abstract is good for 10 years; after that, you can renew it for another 10 years. How much is the judgment? Sometimes I have ways of collecting judgments that debtors are not aware of. Call me.

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Answered on 8/01/00, 9:56 am
Charles Aspinwall Charles S. Aspinwall, J.D., LLC

Re: Civil Judgement

Filing the Abstract of Judgment with the County Clerk is a matter of public record. Anyone interested can find out by checking the chain of title and finding the Judgment filed against the named defendant and/or his real estate.

This action will not prevent the judgment debtor from purchasing items on a credit card, but it will undoubtedly prevent him from buying or selling real estate so long as the judgment is kept "alive," which requires refiling every 7 years, in your case.

Sending a copy of the judgment to the credit bureau in your town will ensure that it is made a part of their records.

Unless you wish to chase this invidual to attempt to discover assets which can be seized to satisfy your judgment, just put it in a drawer and let life take its course. It may take several years, if ever, for this person to acquire real property and then your judgment will pop up and have to be paid before s/he can buy or sell.

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Answered on 8/01/00, 2:15 pm


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