How do I collect a $7,125.00 judgment?

[2trusting]

As an individual, I was awarded a $7,125.00 judgment in small claims court against a small corporation in California on Nov. 6, 2009. I recently sent a certified letter (return receipt requested) to the company as my first attempt to collect but they will not pick up the certified letter from the Post Office.

How do I go about attempting to collect from them? These guys have a lawyer who pulled every trick in the book to try and win this case in small claims, but in the end the truth prevailed and I won. Now I need some assistance in getting my money back. Please help. I am just an average person who knows very little about the law, how the system works or how to go about collecting what is owed to me.

 

[mightymoose]

It is too soon for you to do much. If you just obtained the judgment then you need to wait about 30 days for the opportunity to appeal to pass. It sounds as if you just might see an appeal at the last minute if they have been trying to pull all the strings.

If I remember correctly, instructions about your options to collect are on the back side of the judgment. I thought the small claims limit was $5000, but perhaps it has gone up. Are you sure the judgment was for the full $7,125? I would expect that amount to have to be resolved through the civil court.

Anyway- the first thing for you to do is to wait. If they appeal then there will be no payments until the appeal is resolved. Otherwise, if you read your judgment carefully, payment or payment arrangements are to be made within a certain period of time. Don't jump the gun.

 

[2trusting]

Perhaps I did not make myself clear. I won in small claims, they appealed and I won again on the appeal. The judgment was dated November 6, 2009, over a year ago. Now I'd like to pursue collecting this and would like some assistance from someone who is savvy in this sort of thing since the owners of this company -- well, their lawyer, I should say -- is very good at dodging responsibility.

Yes, this was small claims. The limit in California is $7500.

 

[mightymoose]

It sounds like you will have the best chance of collecting with the assistance of an attorney, but that will cost you.
There are things that you can do though, such as placing a lien on property, or a till tap depending on the type of business.

 

[army judge]

Perhaps I did not make myself clear. I won in small claims, they appealed and I won again on the appeal. The judgment was dated November 6, 2009, over a year ago. Now I'd like to pursue collecting this and would like some assistance from someone who is savvy in this sort of thing since the owners of this company -- well, their lawyer, I should say -- is very good at dodging responsibility.

Yes, this was small claims. The limit in California is $7500.

California has many companies and lawyers that will do this for you. they expect a 20-30% fee for getting you your money. its worth paying them. Collecting on a judgment is never easy, even for lawyers. It is even harder when you have a crafty defendant!

Google "judgment collectors California". Here's what I got. Some even tell you HOW to collect a judgment! Then invetsiagte the firm and make your choice. This ain't a DIY task!


http://judgment-collections-ca.com/get-your-money-now.php?gclid=COjgwqfwrqUCFZJe7Aod0yGiZA

http://www.nationaljudgmentenforcementgroup.com/

http://www.discoverassets.com/background.htm



http://www.alqlist.com/?gclid=CKOF7bjwrqUCFQpZ2godcRazaw

 

[2trusting]

Thanks, Army Judge! I will research the info you provided and hopefully will find a company to work with. I am typically a DIY kind of person, but not where legal matters are concerned. I am happy to pay for their expertise, especially since the defendants are quite crafty. Your suggestions were helpful. Hopefully I can find a reputable company.