Case Won, Now What?

[kathrynhilde]

My boyfriend and I won a case in New Orleans, LA for over $2,100 against a former landlord. It's been over a year since the verdict. We have since relocated to Charlotte, NC and are trying to recoup our award. How can we go about collecting on this debt? We'd like to put it towards a wedding/house/other major investment.

Thank you!!

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

Unfortunately you're learning what many of us have; that winning a judgement doesn't mean one will see one red cent.

After this long a time period it's pretty obvious that the person who lost the case isn't going to fork over any money willingly. Have you looked into options such as filing for a garnishment on wages or a bank account?

Gail

 

[kathrynhilde]

I know that those options exist, but honestly, I have no idea how to go about them, especially with our change of location. Are there collection agencies that charge a fee but would issue me a payment in full upfront? I'm starting to think that might be the way to go, if it exists.

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

For garnishment, you would typically file in the same court that gave you the judgement. Sometimes these filings can be done online. You would need to know where these folks work and/or where they bank (including either their social security number or the bank account) depending on which garnishment you chose to file for.

"Google" the district you initially won the judgement under to see if you can get more information on the steps needed for garnishment.

Sorry; I'm unaware of any collection agency that would pay you all up front; however, I've never used a collection agency (the folks I've filed on I've later learned had so many collection agencies chasing them around that one more from me likely meant nothing to them).

Gail