[cckc_rc]

I was sued for $1300.00 14 years ago in Ontario Canada, by a business partner, went to small claims court she won, but when it was time for her to give her address to the judge she said she did not have one, the judge then said until she mailed me her address I could not start paying monthly payments, well 14 years later she called and left a message where I could send the money in full. Should I still pay her? Thanks need advice

[Justice Matters]

Whether you pay voluntarily is up to you. All we can advise is that judgments from that time remain enforceable for up to 20 years.

This means the judgment creditor still has about six years to initiate enforcement proceedings against you should you refuse to pay. (Enforcement could involve garnishment of wages or bank accounts, writs on real or personal property, or being summoned to a debtor's examintion.)

[s_cianci]

In the U.S. such a judgement would probably be considered valid, despite any reasonable attempts from the plaintiff to collect for such an inordinate number of years. You could hold off on paying and see what happens but if she takes you back to court for failing to pay you'd probably lose.