Enforce/Collect on a small claims judgement

[lizmn]

Hi - posted elsewhere about son's deadbeat roommate problems (can't post link ). I think I will advise him (it's his life, I can only advise) to pay off the debt owed the apartment management company, and take the roommate to small claims court to recover what he is owed. My question is how hard is it to collect on a small claims court debt? Is there a way he can put a lien on roommate's future earnings? He is in Fairfax County, VA, if that changes anything.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Proserpina]

Getting the judgment is the easy part. Collecting is another thing entirely.

You cannot file against future earnings.

 

[lizmn]

so my son can't garnish his wages? or assets - roomie has a car, and some furniture but not much else. Parents are well to do but have written the kid off.

 

[army judge]

so my son can't garnish his wages? or assets - roomie has a car, and some furniture but not much else. Parents are well to do but have written the kid off.

No, your son can't attach his wages. He can obtain a judgment via small claims. Then he can try to attach the wages.

The deadbeat's parents are no more responsible for his debts, than you are for your kids' debts.

Nope, the only one that Owes anything, potentially, is the deadbeat. Be advised, this rarely works. Why?

The deadbeat has a crappy, low paying, part-time job. So, as soon as his wages get attached, assuming that occurs, he quits.

Then you have to start at square two, finding him, perfecting the judgment, attaching his wages.

Oh yeah, it costs you money every time you try that.

 

[Betty3]

It's not generally easy to collect on a judgment & the debtor has to have non-exempt assets/income to collect the judgment from. Here's a link on collecting on a judgment in Va. just for your information/education.

http://research.lawyers.com/Virginia/VA-Collecting-the-Judgment.html