What’s the worst that can happen if someone is suing me but O don’t have the money to pay?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What’s the worst that can happen if someone is suing me but O don’t have the money to pay?
I was in an accident last year and just received a letter from a lawyer stating the cars owner is suing me for $13,000. I didn’t have insurance and the woman who was driving didn’t have a license. I told the lawyer the most I could pay is 10-15 a month, he said it wasn’t enough but im on cash assistance so I can’t more than that. What’s the worst thing that could happen? I’m a single parent to 4 kids so I’m really worried, could this turn into me going to jail because I can’t pay?
Asked on July 17, 2017 under Accident Law, California
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
You won't go to jail. This is a civil case (lawsuit); not a criminal case.
The worst that could happen would be a wage garnishment to enforce a court judgment against you. The judgment could also be enforced with a lien on your property if you own a home.
When there is a court judgment against you which you can't pay, at that time it would be advisable to file bankruptcy. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is straight liquidation which will eliminate that debt.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.