What can I do if a debt collector has obtained a judgment against me without my consent?
If a debt collector has obtained a judgment against you without your consent, it is important to act quickly. In Washington, collection defense law requires debt collectors to prove that you had actual knowledge of the lawsuit and that you had the opportunity to appear in court or respond to the summons. If you can prove that this did not happen, the court may dismiss the judgment. You should immediately contact an attorney who is familiar with Washington collection defense law to help you. Your attorney can help you challenge the judgment if it was obtained without proper notice and if the debt collector cannot provide evidence that they attempted to reach you or prove that you had notice of the lawsuit. If you choose to challenge the judgment in court, you may need to provide proof that you were not notified of the lawsuit. This could include evidence such as bank records or proof of residence that shows that you did not receive the summons. In any case, it is important to act quickly. The longer you wait to act, the more difficult it will be to challenge the judgment. It is also important to understand that even if you do successfully challenge the judgment, it does not completely remove the debt from your record. You may still be required to make payments in order to satisfy the debt.
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