What happens if I am unable to pay a small claims court judgment?

If you are unable to pay a small claims court judgment in Maryland, there are a few steps you will need to take. First, you should contact the court and explain why you are unable to make the payment. The court may consider your circumstances and grant an extension before any further steps are taken. If the court grants you an extension and you are still unable to pay, they may order a number of collection methods in order to recover the money, such as wage garnishments, asset seizures, or the reporting of the debt to a credit agency. Depending on the debt amount, a collections agency may also be brought in to help with the process. It is important to remember that failure to make payment on a small claims court judgment will negatively affect your credit score and could lead to further financial difficulty. Additionally, the court may also pursue criminal charges if there is a reason to believe the debt is being intentionally avoided. Therefore, it is always best to take action as soon as possible if you are unable to pay a small claims court judgment. Contacting the court and explaining your financial situation can be beneficial and might result in a more lenient payment agreement.

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