Can a debt collector put a lien on my house?

In Washington, a debt collector cannot place a lien on your house unless they take you to court and obtain a judgment against you. A judgment is a court order requiring that you pay a certain amount of money to the creditor. Once a judgment is granted, the creditor can take steps to collect the money. One such step is to place a lien on your house. A lien is a legal claim on your property that must be paid off before you can sell it. The good news is that, before a creditor can file a lawsuit and obtain a judgment against you, it must first send you a written notice of its intention to do so and wait 30 days. During this time you should contact the creditor and try to work out a payment plan that is mutually beneficial. If the creditor does file the lawsuit, you should contact an experienced consumer debt defense attorney. The attorney can help you defend your case and possibly negotiate a payment plan with the creditor. The attorney can also help you determine if the creditor is even allowed to place a lien on your house. In Washington, debt collectors have legal protections from harassment, and creditors cannot take certain steps without a court order. Knowing your rights can help you protect your property.

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