What happens if a judgment is not paid in small claims court?

A judgment in small claims court is a ruling made by a judge that a person owes a certain amount of money to another person. If the judgment is not paid, a few things can happen. First, the court may issue a Writ of Attachment, which allows the court to take property or assets belonging to the person who owes the money and sell them in order to pay the judgment. Secondly, the court could issue a Wage Deduction Order, which instructs the debtor’s employer to take money out of their paycheck on a regular basis and send it to the court, which will then give it to the person they owe. In Illinois, if the amount of the judgment is more than $3,000, the court can issue a civil judgment that will be reported to major credit bureaus and stay on the debtor’s record for some time. This will impact their credit score, making it harder for them to get loans or credit cards. Finally, the court may issue a papershowing that the debtor has been found in contempt of court. This means that the court has determined that they disobeyed the court’s order to pay the money, and the court may punish them with fines, community service, or jail time. In any case, it is important to pay a judgment, as failure to do so can result in serious consequences.

Related FAQs

Is there a limit on the amount of damages that can be recovered in a small claims court case?
How much time do I have to file an appeal in a small claims court case?
How does the evidence presented in a small claims court hearing differ from that presented in other courts?
Are there limits on the types of disputes that can be heard in small claims court?
What happens if a judgment is not paid in small claims court?
What happens if I am unable to attend the small claims court hearing?
How do I file a motion in small claims court?
What is the process for objecting to evidence in a small claims court case?
How do I calculate the amount of interest owed on a small claims court judgment?
What is the process for collecting a judgment from an out-of-state party in small claims court?

Related Blog Posts

What is Small Claims Court and How Does it Work? - July 31, 2023
Maximizing Your Chances of Success in Small Claims Court - August 7, 2023
7 Tips For Submitting a Winning Small Claims Court Case - August 14, 2023
The Pros and Cons of Taking Your Case to Small Claims Court - August 21, 2023
Preparing for Your Small Claims Court Hearing - August 28, 2023