I have been served with a judgment for a car loan on which I have missed a couple of payments over the past two years. The auto was reposessed at that time. I have no assets and my monthly take home pay is around $1600. Do I need to even appear at the court house--State of Iowa?

Do.

Judges and Referrees can be on your side. If you plead your case, they may be lenient - and deny judgment.

If you don't show up, they'll get the judgment against you - then you'll be sorry. With a judgment, they can make your life pretty miserable.

Go. And take financial documentation with you.

Hi,
Since I live in VA, I can't give a specific answer as to the legal terms of appearing in court.
But, I would certainly be there, to look out after your interests. If the judge wants to ask you any questions, it will be much better if you are there.
Happy New Year.

Use this link for Iowa Court Rules.

http://www.lawsource.com/also/usa.cgi?ia#Z6Q

Always appear or at least have an attorney appear for you if that is allowed.

Basically unless they have an really bad case, if you don't show up they can win. If they win, they may attach checking and savings account. So if you depoist a check, they get it, and all of the checks you write thinking there is money in there bounce. They may even get a garnishment on your wages, taking anywhere from 25 to 50 percent of your pay.

So yes you had better show up and with a good story as to why you have not been paying them.