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 Virginia, you could be denied access to your bank accounts, have your wages garnished, or have your credit rating affected. If the court determines that you have the ability to pay, it can order a payment plan and an installment payment agreement. If a payment plan is not established or if you miss payments, the court can issue a warrant for your arrest and hold you in contempt. This could lead to you being held in jail until the judgment is paid. The court will also place a lien on any property you own in Virginia and will work to collect the judgment plus interest. The judgment will remain on your credit record for six years, which can make it difficult to obtain loans or credit in the future. If the party you owe money to is willing to negotiate, they can agree to waive all or part of the judgment. However, this is completely up to the creditor to decide. It is important to make sure that you understand the consequences of not paying a small claims court judgment in Virginia as these could have lasting effects on your financial future. It is best to work with the court and your creditor to reach a mutually agreeable agreement if possible.

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

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