How to Stop a Judgement From Being Renewed in Alabama (2024)

Did you know that if you continuously fail to pay your debts, your creditors can sue you, get a judgment against you, and then begin debt collection efforts? In some states, a money judgment can last up to 20 years. In that time frame, creditors can renew the judgment several times until you pay off your debt. If this sounds similar to your current situation, maybe you’re wondering how to stop a judgment from being renewed. The legal team at Eric Wilson Law LLC answers these questions and more below.

Eric Wilson Law LLC is a debt relief agency in Tuscaloosa, AL. To schedule a free consultation, call 205-349-1280 today.

What is a Judgment?

A judgment, in this case, is a document issued by a judge after you are found to be liable for a debt, that states that a creditor deserves some amount of money from you. Once a court clerk enters a judgment against you, a judgment creditor can employ many means to receive money from you – the judgment debtor. The most common way that judgment creditors will take money from judgment debtors is through wage garnishment.

A judgment creditor can sue you for almost any kind of debt: credit card debt, past due child support, medical debt, and student loan debt, just to name a few kinds.

Reasons Why Creditors Can Get a Judgment Against You

The most common reason why a judgment creditor will sue you is if you owe money. The only way for most creditors to legally collect money from you is if they file a civil judgment against you. A creditor can also get a judgment against you if:

  • You fail to respond to their complaints,
  • You fail to respond to a discovery request,
  • Or you lose a trial or a summary judgment motion.

You’ll receive a copy of the civil judgement against you a few days after the court clerk files it. Then, your judgment creditor can begin the debt collection process.

Components of a Money Judgment

If you’re a first time judgment debtor, it’s important to know that a money judgment is not made up of just the debt you owe the creditor. There are other components as well, including:

  • Interest: As a general rule of thumb, you should always review your loan contract, especially if a creditor files a judgment against you. Your loan contract will lay out exactly how much you have to pay in annual interest in the case of a default judgment. In other words, not only do you have to pay back your debt, you also have to pay back the interest on that debt. Interest can add up from the day a judgment creditor files the court documents until the day you fully pay off the debt. With annual interest rates between 8% to 12% (depending on your specific loan contract and state law), this can certainly add up.
  • Court Costs: Debt collection lawsuits aren’t free. A judgement creditor will have to spend some money on things like filing the judgment, the court hearing, the discovery request, and more. So these costs will likely be lumped together with the debt you owe.
  • Attorney Fees: Lastly, you may have to pay attorney fees along with your debt, but again, this will depend on your specific loan contract and state law. Some loan contracts specifically state that if your creditor ever sues you and wins the lawsuit, then you must pay the attorney fees associated with the civil case.

What is Judgment Proof?

Some judgment debtors are “judgment proof” or “collection proof.” Basically this means that a judgment creditor can’t collect money or other assets from someone through a judgment. This may be because the debtor has little to no income, no real property, and no savings.

Additionally, debtors who are judgment proof generally only have unsecured debts and what little property they do have is protected by exemptions. In situations like this, a judgment creditor likely can’t take money from the debtor’s bank account or income, even if they get a judgment, because there’s just no money to take.

How to Stop a Judgement From Being Renewed in Alabama (1)

Common Debt Collection Actions That Judgment Creditors Can Take

The most common types of collection activities that a judgment creditor can take after winning a lawsuit against you is wage garnishment, bank account garnishment, or a property levy.

Wage garnishments occur when creditors take money directly out of your paycheck. They can do this through an earnings withholding order, which is a court order that tells a debtor’s boss to withhold a certain amount of money from their paycheck. Federal law states that creditors can take 25% of a debtor’s disposable income from their paychecks.

Meanwhile, bank account garnishment occurs when creditors take money directly out of your bank account in order to pay off a debt. As previously stated, there’s a limit on how much money that creditors can take from a debtor’s wages, but there’s no limit on how much they can take from a debtor’s bank accounts.

Lastly, a property levy is when a creditor takes certain property from a judgement debtor in order to sell it and then pay off debt.

Some people receive money from sources other than just their job. You may be wondering, can a judgment creditor take money from all my sources of income? The answer is no. A judgment creditor cannot take money from the sources of income listed below:

  • Child support or alimony
  • Social security benefits
  • Unemployment benefits
  • Civil service and federal employee retirement benefits
  • Public assistance benefits
  • Veteran’s benefits

How Long Do Money Judgments Last?

The answer to this question depends on the state you live in. In most states, money judgments last between 5 to 20 years. In Alabama, money judgements last up to 20 years (Ala. Code § 6-9-190). But judgments are generally only enforceable for 10 years (Ala. Code § 6-9-191), and then they’re renewed for another 10 years if the judgment debtor still hasn’t paid the debt.

How to Stop a Judgment From Being Renewed

A judgement debtor generally has very few options to stop a judgment from being renewed: paying the judgment, negotiating with the judgement creditor, claiming property as exempt, or filing for bankruptcy.

Pay the Judgment

The first option for preventing judgment renewal in Alabama – and the option that most people don’t want to hear – is just paying the judgment. You don’t have to pay it all at once. Most people can’t pay off judgments all at once, especially if they’re several thousand dollars.

So the best thing you can do is create a payment plan and stick to it. In 3 to 5 years, you could completely pay off your debt and get rid of the judgment. Then, you could receive a release of judgment and be free. If you need help creating a realistic payment plan, contact Tuscaloosa bankruptcy attorney Eric Wilson. He has been helping his clients regain control of their finances for more than 25 years.

Negotiate With Your Creditor

Another option is negotiating with a judgment creditor. Believe it or not, getting people to pay their bills is hard work. If some kind of agreement could relieve the judgment creditor of the trouble of suing you, garnishing your wages, taking your property, or all of the above, then they may agree to it. Additionally, judgment creditors always have to worry that you may lose your job or file for bankruptcy, which again, puts them through a lot of trouble. In situations like these, the creditor often doesn’t receive any debt repayment.

Negotiating with a creditor without professional guidance could get you nowhere. If you’re looking to make an offer with your judgment creditor, call Eric Wilson first. He will listen intently to your situation and help you come up with the best possible solution.

Claim Your Personal Property as Exempt

If your creditor is trying to enforce a property levy or lien in order to pay off your debt, you could claim certain property as exempt property. This means that creditors can’t use your property to pay off your debt regardless of how much you owe. In order to protect exempt property though, you must file a claim of exemption.

It’s important to remember that many states have their own set of exemptions. For example, Alabama has a homestead exemption, a personal property exemption, and a wildcard exemption.

Not only can Tuscaloosa bankruptcy attorney Eric Wilson protect your finances, he can protect your property too. For more information on how to file a claim of exemption, schedule an appointment with our Tuscaloosa bankruptcy law firm.

File for Bankruptcy

Last but not least, you can file bankruptcy. One of the many benefits of bankruptcy is the automatic stay that immediately goes into effect upon filing. An automatic stay can:

  • Stop creditor harassment,
  • Stop wage garnishments and bank garnishments,
  • Prevent foreclosures and repossessions,
  • And most importantly: stop judgment renewal.

Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy often sounds like rock bottom. In reality, bankruptcy can get rid of most of your debt within a few months. Then, you’re free from crippling debt and pesky creditors.

How to Stop a Judgement From Being Renewed in Alabama (2)

Call a Tuscaloosa Bankruptcy Lawyer at Eric Wilson Law Today

Eric Wilson Law LLC is a debt relief agency that serves the people of Tuscaloosa, AL and beyond. Our law firm has helped thousands of clients achieve a life of freedom from debt, creditor harassment, judgments, foreclosures, repossessions, you name it. We’re ready to start an attorney-client relationship with you. Call us today at 205-349-1280 to schedule a free consultation.

How to Stop a Judgement From Being Renewed in Alabama (2024)

FAQs

How to Stop a Judgement From Being Renewed in Alabama? ›

A judgement debtor generally has very few options to stop a judgment from being renewed: paying the judgment, negotiating with the judgement creditor, claiming property as exempt, or filing for bankruptcy.

How long can a judgment be enforced in Alabama? ›

A judgment cannot be revived after 20 years. Ala. Code § 6-9-190. Judgments are valid until satisfied or discharged; however, when a period of five years lapses, the judgment holder must file a motion with the court and prove sufficient cause for failure to obtain a writ of execution.

How do I vacate a Judgement in Alabama? ›

The best way to get a judgment vacated is to be able to prove that you never received notice of the lawsuit in the first place. This is not easy, though. You can't just stand in court and say you were never served: you have to present persuasive evidence contradicting the plaintiff's proof of service.

What is the statute of limitations on a Judgement lien in Alabama? ›

In Alabama, a creditor can place a judgment lien on your real property (or your personal property or vehicle) in order to collect the judgment, and it will remain attached to your real property for 10 years, even if you sell the property.

Can you get a Judgement reversed? ›

Grounds For Vacating A Default Judgment

In California, for example, a judge can vacate a default judgment taken due to mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect. In New York, the rule is similar.

What happens if a defendant does not pay a judgment in Alabama? ›

If the defendant denies owing part or all of the money sued for, the Court will send a notice to the parties setting a trial date. To prepare for the trial, be sure to get together all papers that might help your case.

How long before a debt becomes uncollectible in Alabama? ›

The length of time that debt collectors have to chase you down regarding debt depends on the type of debt it is: If you owe state tax debt, the statute of limitation is 10 years. If you owe credit card or auto loan debt, the statute is 3-4 years. Medical debt and mortgage debt don't run out until 6 years later.

How can I remove a Judgement? ›

Removing A Judgment from Your Record

There are only three ways in which a judgment can be made to go away: paying the debt, vacating the judgment or discharging the debt through bankruptcy.

What is a Rule 60 motion for relief from Judgement in Alabama? ›

Relief from judgment or order.

Clerical mistakes in judgments, orders, or other parts of the record and errors therein arising from oversight or omission may be corrected by the court at any time of its own initiative or on the motion of any party and after such notice, if any, as the court orders.

Can a Judgement be renewed after it expires in Alabama? ›

In Alabama, money judgements last up to 20 years (Ala. Code § 6-9-190). But judgments are generally only enforceable for 10 years (Ala. Code § 6-9-191), and then they're renewed for another 10 years if the judgment debtor still hasn't paid the debt.

How long does a lien last in Alabama? ›

How long does a judgment lien last in Alabama? A judgment lien in Alabama will remain attached to the debtor's property (even if the property changes hands) for ten years.

Do liens expire in Alabama? ›

Once the lien has arisen, it will continue until the liability for the amount assessed is satisfied, released or becomes unenforceable by reason of lapse of time (i.e. 10 years from the date the lien is filed) (Code Sections 40-1-2, 40-29-20, and 49-29-21).

Can a Judgement lien be placed on jointly owned property in Alabama? ›

If the married couple or joint owners of a property do not have a tenancy by the entireties title, any lien can attach to the person's interest in the property. Whether it's judgment or confessed judgment, the lien will attach to the homeowner's interest, making the lienor a co-owner of the property.

Can you negotiate a Judgement? ›

Yes, you can agree to settle a judgment debt for less, even after the court has handed it down. Often, counsel for debtors will work with creditors as tactical negotiators to reduce a debt payment amount or for more manageable payments. Getting any agreement in writing is critical before you begin making payments.

Do Judgements appear on credit reports? ›

Judgments don't appear on your credit report and don't affect your credit score. But judgments may impact your ability to qualify for credit since lenders can still search for judgments via public records.

What is reversing Judgement? ›

n. the decision of a court of appeal ruling that the judgment of a lower court was incorrect and is therefore reversed. The result is that the lower court which tried the case is instructed to dismiss the original action, retry the case or change its judgment.

What is the offer of judgment rule in Alabama? ›

Offer of judgment.

At any time more than fifteen (15) days before the trial begins, a party defending against a claim may serve upon the adverse party an offer to allow judgment to be taken against the defending party for the money or property or to the effect specified in the offer, with costs then accrued.

Can your bank account be garnished in Alabama? ›

Financial Institution Garnishments

A garnishment may be issued to a bank, credit union, brokerage firm, etc. The department is entitled to receive the full amount of money in an account at the time the garnishment is served, not to exceed the amount of the tax liability.

How long does a creditor have to sue you in Alabama? ›

That being said, the Alabama statute of limitations on credit card debt is three years. This means that creditors and debt collectors only have three years to sue you for a credit card debt in Alabama, starting from the date of the last action on the account.

Can you go to jail for debt in Alabama? ›

Having said that, there are six states where you cannot go to jail for a debt of any kind, regardless of whether or not you are found guilty of contempt of court for not paying it. These six states include: Alabama.

At what point does a debt become uncollectible? ›

In California, the statute of limitations for consumer debt is four years. This means a creditor can't prevail in court after four years have passed, making the debt essentially uncollectable.

Can a 10 year old debt still be collected? ›

Debt collectors may not be able to sue you to collect on old (time-barred) debts, but they may still try to collect on those debts. In California, there is generally a four-year limit for filing a lawsuit to collect a debt based on a written agreement.

How do you negotiate a Judgement settlement? ›

There's a lot more to settling a judgment than I thought.
  1. Figure out who owns the judgment.
  2. Figure out who to contact about settling the judgment.
  3. Figure out the correct balance.
  4. Negotiate a settlement.
  5. Hope that you're getting a good deal on your settlement.
  6. Pay the agreed upon amount.

Will a Judgement affect buying a house? ›

Many mortgage companies will not lend to borrowers who have open or recently paid judgments. Judgments also keep credit scores low and can make them so low that you will not qualify for a mortgage even if it has been paid off. The effect a judgment has on your credit lessens over time.

What is a non dischargeable judgment? ›

Nondischargeable debt is a type of debt that cannot be eliminated through a bankruptcy proceeding. Such debts include, but are not limited to, student loans; most federal, state, and local taxes; money borrowed on a credit card to pay those taxes; and child support and alimony.

What is a Rule 32 motion in Alabama? ›

A petition that challenges multiple judgments entered in more than a single trial or guilty-plea proceeding shall be dismissed without prejudice.

What is a Rule 32 hearing in Alabama? ›

Rule 32.9. Evidentiary hearing. (a) HEARING. Unless the court dismisses the petition, the petitioner shall be entitled to an evidentiary hearing to determine disputed issues of material fact, with the right to subpoena material witnesses on his behalf.

What is a Rule 29 motion? ›

Motion for a Judgment of Acquittal. (a) Before Submission to the Jury. After the government closes its evidence or after the close of all the evidence, the court on the defendant's motion must enter a judgment of acquittal of any offense for which the evidence is insufficient to sustain a conviction.

What is a renewed motion for judgment? ›

In the United States courts, renewed judgment as a matter of law is a party's second chance at a judgment as a matter of law (JMOL) motion. Renewed JMOL is decided after a jury has returned its verdict, and is a motion to have that verdict altered.

What is a default Judgement in Alabama? ›

Default. (a) Entry. When a party against whom a judgment for affirmative relief is sought has failed to plead or otherwise defend as provided by these rules and that fact is made to appear by affidavit or otherwise, the clerk shall enter the party's default.

How long does a Judgement stay on your credit report? ›

A credit reporting company generally can report most negative information for seven years. Information about a lawsuit or a judgment against you can be reported for seven years or until the statute of limitations runs out, whichever is longer. Bankruptcies can stay on your report for up to ten years.

How do I get rid of a lien in Alabama? ›

Remove a Lien from Your AL Title
  1. Complete a lien release online.
  2. Gather your current vehicle title. ...
  3. Submit the above to the Motor Vehicle Division by mail at the address listed on the lien release application, or in person at your local office.

What is the lien law in Alabama? ›

Alabama mechanics lien law requires that a mechanic's lien be enforced within 6 months from the date the entire amount became due. If this 6-month period passes without an action being filed to enforce the lien, the lien expires. This period is the same time period in which a prime contractor's lien must be filed.

Is Alabama a lien state? ›

Alabama is a tax lien state that pays a rate of up to 12% interest on tax lien certificates. When you purchase a tax lien certificate, you invest directly with the county, and you're paid by the county. You get all of your money back plus the interest when the property owner comes in to pay the tax lien.

What are the different types of liens in Alabama? ›

The Alabama Mechanics Lien Statute provides for two types of liens: an “unpaid balance” and a “full price” lien.

What is a release of lien in the state of Alabama? ›

The Alabama Release of Lien Form is used to cancel a lien that has already been filed. It's most often used to release a lien claim after a lien claimant receives payment. Alabama law requires that a lien cancellation is filed within 30 days after the lien is satisfied.

What is Section 35 11 210 in Alabama? ›

Every mechanic, person, firm, or corporation who shall do or perform any work, or labor upon, or furnish any material, fixture, engine, boiler, waste disposal services and equipment, or machinery for any building or improvement on land, or for repairing, altering, or beautifying the same, under or by virtue of any ...

What property is exempt from creditors in Alabama? ›

Personal Property Exemption = value of your cars (minus any money owed), bank accounts, and any other personal property you own. All exemption amounts double if you are married and own property jointly.

What is the survivorship law in Alabama? ›

What is an Alabama survivorship Deed? In Alabama, survivorship deeds are sometimes used for ownership among multiple property owners. Following the death of one of the owners, a survivorship deed passes ownership on to the surviving owner automatically, by operation of law, without the need for probate.

Can I put a lien on my ex husband's house? ›

Yes. In a divorce settlement, to protect property interests, a spouse may place a lien on community property to ensure their financial interests in the property are protected.

Can I still negotiate after a Judgement? ›

Negotiate With the Judgment Creditor

It's never too late to negotiate. The process of trying to grab property to pay a judgment can be quite time-consuming and burdensome for a judgment creditor.

Will debt collectors settle after Judgement? ›

Summary: Yes, you can settle after being served. The best way to settle a debt lawsuit is first to file an Answer, then to contact the other side and make an offer.

What percentage should I ask a creditor to settle for after a Judgement? ›

Most obligations settle between 30%-50% of the original value. If the debt collection agency is unwilling to accept any settlement, you may negotiate a payment plan with them. Payment plans can keep you out of court, and you won't need to fork over a large amount of cash at once.

Does credit Karma show Judgements? ›

Civil Judgments

Moving forward, credit reports will only include court records indicating you lost a lawsuit and had a civil judgment rendered against you if those records contain your name, address and either Social Security number or date of birth.

How does judgement affect a person? ›

The negative feelings and actions that can result from unnecessary judgement can have a significant impact on our psychological well-being. In fact, studies have shown that unnecessary judgement increases levels of stress, anxiety, and feelings of depression.

How do you put a judgement on someone's credit report? ›

Three steps to reporting
  1. First, gather information on the judgement. ...
  2. Next, contact all three of the major credit bureaus and provide them details — in writing — related to the judgement on a consumer and/or business.
  3. Finally, you'll want to confirm that the judgement was included in the credit report.
Jan 1, 2020

How do you not let judgment get to you? ›

Take these six steps to let go of self-doubt and avoid being paralyzed by the fear of being judged:
  1. Don't invite judgment. ...
  2. Stop judging yourself. ...
  3. Don't assume people are judgmental a-holes. ...
  4. Stop chasing people's approval. ...
  5. Be happy. ...
  6. Get a power posse.
Nov 15, 2011

What makes a judgment void? ›

Judgment is a void judgment if court that rendered judgment lacked jurisdiction of. the subject matter, or of the parties, or acted in a manner inconsistent with due. process, Fed.

How do I clear my Judgement? ›

Contact the creditor who took the judgment and try to resolve the dispute, either by way of a payment arrangement or by settling the claim in full. Once the debt is paid, a so-called paid-up letter will be provided by the creditor confirming that the specific account in question has been settled.

How do you enforce a Judgement in Alabama? ›

In order to Enforce a Judgment in the state of Alabama, you must adhere to the following protocol: Record Your Judgment – You should obtain a certificate of judgment through the circuit clerk's office and file it with the probate office of Calhoun County or the appropriate court of record.

What is the statute of limitations in Alabama? ›

Alabama imposes a 12-month limit for all misdemeanors and a three-year time limit for most felonies, although the most serious crimes have no statutory time limits whatsoever, including murder, counterfeiting, arson, or sex offenses with minors under 16.

Can the state of Alabama garnish your bank account? ›

Levy Bank Accounts

In some states levy is called attachment or account garnishment. The names may vary but the concept is the same. In Alabama, administrative levy is allowed under for recovery of taxes and unpaid child support. In Alabama, levy of bank accounts is called garnishment.

Can you still negotiate after Judgement? ›

Negotiate With the Judgment Creditor

It's never too late to negotiate. The process of trying to grab property to pay a judgment can be quite time-consuming and burdensome for a judgment creditor.

What is a rule 36 judgment? ›

A Rule 36 is judgment “does not endorse or reject any specific part of the trial court's reasoning” and is non-precedential, i.e., not binding on the Court. It is only binding on the parties. Generally, these judgments are handed down shortly after the Court hears oral arguments.

What is rule 33 Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration? ›

No person, legal entity, or state governmental department or agency that obtains any data, datastreams, or images of court documents stored in an AOC database, directly from the AOC or its agents, or indirectly from another, shall sell, barter, trade, or, in exchange for money, credit, goods, services or anything of ...

How do you ignore Judgements? ›

Take these six steps to let go of self-doubt and avoid being paralyzed by the fear of being judged:
  1. Don't invite judgment. ...
  2. Stop judging yourself. ...
  3. Don't assume people are judgmental a-holes. ...
  4. Stop chasing people's approval. ...
  5. Be happy. ...
  6. Get a power posse.
Nov 15, 2011

How do you get around a Judgement? ›

How To Resolve A Judgment Against You
  1. pay the balance due in full;
  2. work with the creditor to settle the debt or work out an agreeable payment plan;
  3. allow the creditor to seize your assets in payment of the debt;
  4. repay the debt involuntarily through a wage garnishee;

What is a motion to recuse judge in Alabama? ›

(1) of the Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics calls for a judge to recuse himself when “he has a personal bias or prejudice concerning a party, or personal knowledge of disputed eviden- tiary facts concerning the proceeding.” This personal bias must “stem from an extrajudicial source” in order for recusal to be required ...

How long do warrants last in Alabama? ›

In the event a warrant is issued, the warrant will remain active until the warrant is served. Upon the defendant's arrest, he/she will remain in jail until he makes bail. In Alabama, all non-capital defendants are entitled to bail; therefore, we cannot hold the defendant without allowing him to bond out of jail.

What is the Alabama Code 6 5 410? ›

Under the Alabama wrongful death law, Ala. Code § 6-5-410, you generally only have two years to begin a lawsuit based on your loved one's injury accident and subsequent death. Missing this deadline could mean being barred from taking any further legal action in the case.

Does Alabama have a discovery rule? ›

Parties may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, which is: (i) relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending action, whether it relates to the claim or defense of the party seeking discovery or to the claim or defense of any other party; and (ii) proportional to the needs of the case, ...

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