What can I do about a judgement against me from an auto accident If I do not have the money to pay?
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What can I do about a judgement against me from an auto accident If I do not have the money to pay?
Asked on March 12, 2015 under Bankruptcy Law, New Jersey
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
1) You can try to settle for an amount or payment terms which you can afford--the other side doesn't have to agree, but it's often a good idea to try, such as by offering them 40% to 60% of the judgment, paid voluntarily over a year.
2) You could file bankruptcy if you need to: bankrupty works agains this sort of debt as long as you were not DUI/DWI in causing the accident.
3) If you have no assets (e.g. no home, not much in the bank, etc.) and little income (apart from public assistance, disability payments, a pension, social security, etc., which cannot be garnished), then you may be effectively "collection proof": you may not have any thing which the other side can get from you even though they do have a judgment.
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