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 New York, you may be able to negotiate a payment plan with the person who won the judgment. This means they agree to accept payments over time, instead of requiring you to pay the entire amount all at once. You may also be able to ask the court for more time to pay, or to reduce the amount you owe. In New York, the court will also review the judgment if you can prove that you are unable to pay due to a financial hardship. If you can demonstrate that you do not have the means to pay, the court may reduce or waive all or part of the judgment. Additionally, if you are unable to pay the small claims court judgment, the court may issue a warrant for your arrest. This means that a police officer could apprehend you and require you to appear in court. If the court finds that you are unable to pay the judgment, you may be released without an order to pay. However, if the court finds that you are able to pay, you may be required to pay the debt or spend time in jail. It is important to remember that the court takes failure to pay a small claims court judgment seriously, so it is crucial to act quickly if you are unable to pay. You should reach out to the other party to negotiate a payment plan or discuss a financial hardship, or contact the court to request more time or a reduced amount to pay.
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