When you receive a civil judgment against you, it might feel overwhelming. At JeffMcKnightLaw, where we specialize in divorce cases, we understand how confusing and stressful legal matters can be. You might be wondering: just how long does this burden last? Let’s break it down in clear and simple terms, so you know what to expect and how to move forward.
From the point of view of U.S. law, a civil judgment typically lasts 10 years. It can be renewed or extended depending on state laws. For accurate and detailed information, I used the U.S. Department of Justice website (justice.gov).
What Is a Civil Judgment?
A civil judgment can act as a lien on the debtor’s property, affecting their credit score and ability to secure loans.
For the most part, a decision like this usually settles a disagreement between two people or groups about their rights, duties, or who is responsible. It can decide who is to blame, how much money needs to be paid, or what actions should be taken. This decision is made based on the evidence and arguments presented by both sides’ lawyers.
For the most part, once the decision is made, it becomes a legal order that everyone involved must follow. If someone doesn’t follow it, there can be more legal trouble. These decisions can come from many types of disputes, like personal injuries, broken contracts, property issues, or unpaid debts. The goal of such a decision is to fairly resolve the problem and make sure that justice is done according to the law.
Typical Duration of a Civil Judgment
Civil judgments can remain enforceable for decades, often up to 10-20 years or more, depending on jurisdiction and case specifics.
In general, sometimes a civil court case can be resolved in a few months, but more complicated cases may take years. This is because the legal process can be slow and have many steps. Essentially speaking, courts are often busy, leading to delays, and people involved in the case can also cause delays by making additional legal requests. Because every case is different and influenced by many factors, it is hard to say exactly how long a civil case will take.
Factors That Affect Judgment Duration
Judgment duration can be influenced by factors like cognitive abilities, distractions, emotional state, decision complexity, time pressure, and biases.
To break it down, how quickly and accurately we make decisions is influenced by our mental abilities. Distractions can mess with our thinking and affect how long it takes to decide something. Emotions like stress or tiredness can also slow us down. If a decision is complicated, it might take more time to think through.
It seems that being under time pressure can make us rush or delay our decisions. Biases, like only seeking information that supports what we already believe or giving too much weight to the first piece of information we get, can also affect how long it takes to decide. All these factors together can either speed up or slow down our decision-making.
How to Extend or Renew a Judgment
You can extend or renew a judgment by filing a motion with the court before it expires.
In general terms, to extend or renew a judgment, you’ll need to write a request that explains why you need more time. The court will look at your request and decide if the judgment should be extended based on your reasons. It’s important to give clear and strong reasons, like ongoing attempts to collect the debt or new information that supports the need for more time.
Predominantly, if the court approves your request, they will issue a new order with a later expiration date. Make sure to follow the court’s rules and deadlines to get the extension. If you don’t file the necessary paperwork on time or give a good enough reason, the judgment might expire. Getting help from a lawyer can make the process easier and improve your chances of getting the extension or renewal.
Impacts of a Civil Judgment on Credit
A civil judgment can significantly lower your credit score for up to seven years.
At its heart, when someone sues you for unpaid debts and wins, this information is usually sent to credit agencies. The court ruling will then show up on your credit report and can seriously drop your credit score. This makes it tougher for you to get new credit cards, loans, or mortgages. Plus, having this ruling on your report can also make it harder to rent a place, get insurance, or even find certain jobs.
Typically, it’s very important to deal with these court rulings quickly and fix any underlying problems to lessen their bad effects on your credit.
You can sometimes get these judgments removed from your credit report if you pay them off or settle them, but it takes time and effort. Always keep an eye on your credit report and take steps to improve your credit if a judgment is hurting it.
The Final Word
The duration of a civil judgment varies depending on the state and circumstances of the case. What JeffMcKnightLaw is recommending to keep up with is, in general, civil judgments can last anywhere from five to twenty years, with the possibility of renewal in some cases. It is important to be aware of the expiration date of a judgment in order to take necessary actions to enforce or extend it if needed.
