Can a Judgement (debt collection) be Issued against you without being notified about a court date?

[Anonymous]

Title just about says it all. I posted on here before -- getting letters from debt collectors for debts owed by a deceased parent. I sent certified letters disputing that I was responsible for these debts. Now looking on county website -- looks like a judgement was issued in their favor,but I was never served -- given a court date, etc. I also see no judgements showing up on my credit report.

[Anonymous]

To answer your question, if they served you as allowed by the statute then even if you did not get actual notice the judgment can stand. You might be able to appeal.

It depends on jurisdiction as to what the rules are on service.

[Anonymous]

This might help:

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2012/08/how-to-beat-vulture-debt-collectors.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To answer your question, if they served you as allowed by the statute then even if you did not get actual notice the judgment can stand. You might be able to appeal.

It depends on jurisdiction as to what the rules are on service.

Ugh -- thanks. Truly pissed that I pay my bills, but have to spend my time and money fighting bills that are not even mine. UGH!

[Anonymous]

Did you receive money from inheritance? What state were your parents living in when they died?

OP this is awful!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did you receive money from inheritance? What state were your parents living in when they died?

OP this is awful!

No inheritance
No will
House went into foreclosure a week or so before the death
The funny thing is that it is the county trying to collect on water bills
Water Bills!
I guess it could be worse... still nothing showing on my credit report.

[Anonymous]

Why would they be seeking $ from you? You mean you're the court-appointed representative of the estate and they want payment from the estate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would they be seeking $ from you? You mean you're the court-appointed representative of the estate and they want payment from the estate?

Was no estate
No will, nothing. Person died with a number of judgements ready against them.
I am person's only offspring and considered heir so they came after me.

[Anonymous]

A will is not the same as an estate. You should consult an attorney in the appropriate jurisdiction(s) to determine what steps you should take to potentially remove the judgment and regarding what may need to be file in probate court.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A will is not the same as an estate. You should consult an attorney in the appropriate jurisdiction(s) to determine what steps you should take to potentially remove the judgment and regarding what may need to be file in probate court.

That is what I will have to do. Hope it does not cost me more than these bills.
I am so furious right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would they be seeking $ from you? You mean you're the court-appointed representative of the estate and they want payment from the estate?

Was no estate
No will, nothing. Person died with a number of judgements ready against them.
I am person's only offspring and considered heir so they came after me.

That makes no sense. A person does not become liable on another person's bills just by virtue of being his sole heir. The deceased's estate takes care of all the ourstanding bills, and the remainder passes to the heir free and clear. Even if something doesn't get paid, it is the executor of the estate, not the heir, that is on the hook. Were you a co-signor on any of the loans that were reduced to judgment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would they be seeking $ from you? You mean you're the court-appointed representative of the estate and they want payment from the estate?

Was no estate
No will, nothing. Person died with a number of judgements ready against them.
I am person's only offspring and considered heir so they came after me.

That makes no sense. A person does not become liable on another person's bills just by virtue of being his sole heir. The deceased's estate takes care of all the ourstanding bills, and the remainder passes to the heir free and clear. Even if something doesn't get paid, it is the executor of the estate, not the heir, that is on the hook. Were you a co-signor on any of the loans that were reduced to judgment?

There was no wil, no money, no nothing, l and I did not file probate, I was not executor. This is a WATER BILL, not joking. Water bills he owed before he died and even tho water was cut off, the town was charging for the hook up to the home. They sent the bills to collection and they came after me.

[Anonymous]

Since no else has asked, how much is the water bill? If it's under a few hundred dollars it might be easier just to pay it.

[Anonymous]

If OP is so certain she was never served, she should sue for bad process and to have the process server testify how he served. There are specific, iron clad rules for legal service, like you have to physically hand it over to the head or married head of household or someone in family older than 18.

In many cases, the "I was never served" really means "My wife was served and didn't tell me" or "my wife was served and I just blew it off."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since no else has asked, how much is the water bill? If it's under a few hundred dollars it might be easier just to pay it.

A few grand
Not $200 bucks.