Default Judgement

[pjpaint]

A default judgement was entered against my company. The case was not defended because the company was going out of business. The judge also ruled that attorneys fees can also be collected. The law firm is now trying to pierce the corporate veil and is racking up attorneys fees at the rate of 50,000 per month. The original judgement was for 50,000. Currently the judgement has risen to 450,000. I have told the law firm that I am responsible and willing to work out a payment plan. They told me no. They said that they will continue to rack up legal fees and that I will be responsible for them. We have not yet even given depositions. I can no longer afford attorneys fees. I do not own anything. The case was heard in the Federal court. Can I defend myself in front of the judge , Pro CEI. Since only the company was named in the lawsuit, I can not file any motions.
I am admitting that I owe the debt, there is just no way I can afford to pay what they are asking for now. Please Help

 

[dee_dub]

They said that they will continue to rack up legal fees and that I will be responsible for them.

Well, depending on the rules in your jurisdiction, you're probably actually only responsible for taxable costs, not for the other party's entire legal fees. And you can challenge taxable costs that are totally unreasonable - like legal bills of $450,000 to collect on a $50,000 judgment might be.

Can I defend myself in front of the judge , Pro CEI. Since only the company was named in the lawsuit, I can not file any motions.

It's "pro se". You can do that. You, as the principal of the company, should also be entitled to file motions in its name.

If you don't own anything, why not just throw in the towel on the lawsuit already and declare bankruptcy?