[Barrbie3]

I hired a person that said he was contractor to remodel my kitchen. I purchased material and we agreed up front on what he would charge for his labor! My brothers came by one day and saw the work and told me he was not doing quality work my brother questioned him about what he was doing which lead to an arugment. He completed the job I paid him what we agreed, he then sued me in Small Claims Court. The Magistrate stated I owed him additional $1,000 placed a judgment against me. I purchased money order for the full amount, sent money order certified envelope to Contractor. The Money Order came back undeliverable no longer at address. I called phone number I had for contractor has been disconnected. I in turn went to the court gave them documentation showing I attempted to pay him.

I recently attempted to get credit and was told that my Credit report shows unpaid Judgment. What are my rights can this be removed from my credit report can I give the money to the court and have them find him and pay him? If so what is the process to have this removed?

I live in Atlanta Georgia my Kitchen looks ridiculous and for me to repair his work I must come up with another $10,000.

[AK lawyer]

It may be possible to deposit the money with the clerk of court.

[ScottGem]

You have to go back to the court and ask that the judgment be released. Either that or turn the money over to the court and ask that the judgment be listed as satisfied.

For future reference never hire a contractor who is not licensed AND insured. And get everything in writing. The fact that the court warded him a judgment indicates that he had better proof of the terms of the job than you did.

[Fr_Chuck]

You need to try to appeal the judgement,
1. show he was not licensed
2. she he did not get a building permit

3. find two other contractors who will testify that things were not done property and the cost to fix.

Which is what you needed to do in the first case. But try to over turn the judgement, and counter sue for the amount of money to properly fix the repairs.

*** if you just want to pay, ( sadly sometimes cheaper) check with the clerk, you should be able to pay the court with proof he can not be found, and ask for proof of payment, send it to the credit reporting companies to prove it was paid.

[AK lawyer]

You need to try to appeal the judgement,
...

I'm guessing it's too late to appeal.

But even if it isn't, appeals are normally decided on the evidence which was before the trial court. So, unless appeals de novo are allowed in the jurisdiction, OP would not be able to introduce the new evidence you suggest.

[ScottGem]

I have to wonder about someone who takes a client to court, wins, then disappears before getting payment.