Are there any rules prohibiting me from collecting a small claims court judgment outside of court?
In Massachusetts, there are no rules which explicitly prohibit a person from attempting to collect a small claims court judgment outside of court. In Massachusetts, small claims court cases are handled through a process known as “informal dispute resolution”, which means that the court does not require legal representation or strict adherence to procedural rules. This means that parties to a case can attempt to resolve the matter outside of court, and it is often a good idea to do so as it can save everyone involved time and money. One important thing to remember is that the small claims court judgment is still enforceable, even if the parties attempt to resolve the matter outside of court. If either party is not satisfied with the informal resolution, then the judgment can be enforced in court. Additionally, if the judgment was not part of an agreement by both parties, then the court may still have the right to enforce the judgment. In Massachusetts, it is also important to note that a judgment creditor has certain rights to collect small claims court judgments. This includes the right to collect interest on the judgment at the rate of 12% per year, as well as the right to garnish wages, lien property, and attach other assets. The bottom line is that while it is not strictly prohibited to attempt to collect a small claims court judgment outside of court in Massachusetts, it is important to have an understanding of the law and the rights of both parties in order to avoid potential complications.
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