A judgement is a ruling made by the court in a lawsuit.  It will become part of the public record and is available to anyone that takes the time to do the research.  Most judgments will get picked up by the credit bureaus and will have a negative effect on your credit report until it is paid off.

What is the judgment process?

The first step in the judgement process is the filing of the lawsuit by the plaintiff.  The plaintiff is the person who files the lawsuit and is basically asking the court to decide if they are entitled to receive money from you.  The complaint or petition are the papers that the plaintiff files with the court stating why they think they should be given the money.  The defendant is the person that the claim is filed against and is the person the plaintiff says owes them the money.

Can A Judgment Just Show Up On My Credit?

You should have some idea that a judgment will be placed against you.  The first thing you will get is a summons.  A summons is a document letting you know that there is a court action against you from a plaintiff.  Should you wish to dispute the claim you will need to appear in court.  If you do not show up in court, a default judgment will be granted and you will have to pay it.

What Happens If I Loose In Court And Do Not Pay The Judgment?

Should you loose in court you will have a judgment placed against you.  The judgment may continue to accrue interest until the time that it is paid off.  The amount of interest can vary from state to state.  You will need to check the rules of civil procedure in your state to see what would apply.

This information is of general interest and is not legal advice.  Should you require legal advice seek the services of a professional or attorney.