What are the consequences of not paying a debt?

When you don’t pay a debt in the state of Washington, the creditor can take legal action to get the money you owe them. In most cases, this means the creditor will first seek a court order called a Judgment. This Judgment is an official decision from the court stating how much you owe plus any fees and interest. Once the creditor has a Judgment, they can then take certain collection actions against you. This could include having your wages garnished. This means money can be taken from your paycheck each month in order to pay the debt. The creditor can also place a lien on your assets, such as your house or car, in order to get the money you owe them. Another consequence of not paying a debt in Washington is that it could appear on your credit report. This can damage your credit score and make it harder to get loans or other types of credit in the future. If you don’t pay the debt, the creditor can also file a lawsuit against you. This is a legal action they can take in order to get the money you owe them. If you are found guilty of not paying the debt, the court can order that you pay the creditor the full amount plus any court costs. If you fail to pay a debt in Washington, the consequences can be serious. Depending on the amount owed, the creditor can take legal actions such as garnishing wages, filing a lien against your assets, damaging your credit score, and even suing you. It is always best to pay your debts on time to avoid any of these potential consequences.

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