Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Wisconsin

MY SITUATION: credit card judgment that resulted in wage garnishment that was recently paid off. Collecting law firm states that the judgment is still unsatisfied until I pay court costs and/or attorney fees incurred in the legal proceedings. I have reviewed the judgment and garnishment documents which clearly stated the amounts of fees and costs (attorney, filing, service, docketing, garnishment,and post-judgment interest). Can a collecting firm/agency continue to add unexplained fees/costs after a judgment amount has gone thru court proceedings? Is there any (debtor) protection from paying additional post-judgment fees/costs? If so, please provide information.


Asked on 9/13/09, 3:16 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
JAY Nixon nixon law offices

The answer to your question is yes, additional fees may be added illegally by any creditor and, yes, there is protection available to the consumer. That protection is known as a private attorney with experience in bankruptcy or creditor/debtor law. The attorney can object to any claimed expenses at any time and request a hearing for the court to rule upon their legality. However, the only protects those who protect themselves; for those who don't, the "sky's the limit" in terms of how much a consumer can be taken advantage of by unscrupulous creditors. Of course, if you file a bankruptcy earlier, the garnishment will be stopped completely and your obligation to pay principal as well as court costs will usually disappear, unless you choose to eventually repay them voluntarily after your circumstances improve. My comments here are not intended as legal advice, unless you subsequently retain me and revisit this issue with me. These public comments in this online forum do not create any attorney client relationship with anyone.

Read more
Answered on 9/20/09, 9:40 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Credit, Debt and Collections Law questions and answers in Wisconsin