My mother is in the process of refinancing her home with Wells Fargo. There was a lien on her property for hospital bills that had been satisfied but the paper work had not been recorded properly. While we were in the process of getting that taken care of a company called Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC apparently filed for and received a judgement to place a lien for $897.00 which showed up on the final title search. Here are the facts I know.
1. my mother has no idea what the original debt is
2. she is very lax with opening her mail, so I am not sure what kinds of notification she has received (I have her going through the countless bags of unopened mail looking for things from the collection agency)
3. I believe she was notified by mail of the court action but did not see it so did not respond.
4. She does not have a land line phone.
5. my mother is 76, and is competent (just irresponsible with her mail)
Where should I start?

Start with the title report.

It should identify the judgment by court and court file number.
Go to the clerk of court and look up the file.
Determine how she was supposedly served with process.


She might be able to get the judgment set aside if service was bad, but eventually she will probably have it entered against her again.

Thank you. I will do that on Monday. Should I make any contact with Portfolio Rescue to try to find out what the original bill is for?