I have a large judgement made against me. I just found out that a levy was made on my bank account. I need to know what happens now. Is it possible to get any of that money back? How do I pay my bills now? Can it happen again? I have to assume that they will try to get all of my money all of the time... is there a time limit for this and/or garnishing my wages? I live in New Jersey.

I'm wondering what you thought would happen when the judgment was awarded? Yes they will try try to recover what you owe them. A judgment is generally good for 10 years and can be renewed for, at least, another 10. So they can continue to file writs of execution as your bank balance grows.

You need to try and reach a settlement with them.

So besides offering a payment plan, how do I stop this from happening? I understand I have to pay, but how am I supposed to pay bills/ living expenses?

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Originally Posted by Christya

so besides offering a payment plan, how do i stop this from happening? i understand i haev to pay, but how am i supposed to pay bills/ living expenses?

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Close your bank account and pay your expenses in cash.

Bankruptcy also is an option.

Yes, but won't they be able to find out my employer and see my w2's at the end of the year? If so, then they will see that I earned money...

If they find your employer, they will garnish your salary. It doesn't matter whether they know you earned money, then need to know that the money is still in your possession and where it is. If you don't deposit your paycheck and pay cash for everything, it doesn't matter if they know how much you actually earned.

So your advice would be to keep everything out of the bank? I'm sure in time they will find my employer and from what I understand, in nj, they can only take 10% of your gross wages... so unless I can start a payment plan... I should allow this and keep all of my other money for expenses in cash?

Is there a way to get any of that money back from the levy? I have bills to pay!

Sorry, but if the judgment is valid and you were aware of it, you should have known this might happen. You have had plenty of chances to reach an agreement to pay this bill.

OK. I understand this, but there is nothing I can do to further prevent it? It just seems that it wouldn't be legal to do this if I am left with nothing to cover my daily expenses. I am trying to reach a payment plan, but until then... what do I do?

Hello C:

That money is gone. You aren't going to get it back. It's perfectly legal for them to have taken it. Not NICE - but legal. I don't know what you can do without money. Get an advance from you boss. They probably won't agree to a payment plan either.

excon

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Originally Posted by excon

Hello C:

That money is gone. You aren't going to get it back. It's perfectly legal for them to have taken it. Not NICE - but legal. I dunno what you can do without money. Get an advance from you boss. They probably won't agree to a payment plan either.

excon

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What can I do to stop it from happening again? And what do I do about daily living expenses?

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Originally Posted by Christya

what can i do to stop it from happening again?

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We've answered that. In additional to what you have been advised, pay the bll in full.

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Originally Posted by Christya

and what do i do about daily living expenses?

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That we can't answer. You were given ample opportunity to deal with this. Now you have to live with the consequences.