Judgement against me

[Kevnkim]

I am in Massachusetts.I currently have a judgement against me and a friend said they can attached my wages and bank account. My question is this: can my checking account still be seized ,it is a joint account with my husband even though this was my credit card alone. I have received no instruction on how to pay or anything.I waitress and earn $2.63 an hour 15 hours a week(plus my 20.00 in tips per day)so they wont get too far with that. I do not own the home. Thats in my husbands name. We keep all of our finances separate.

 

[JETX]

The judgment creditor can garnish your wages; however, MA law exempts the first $125 per week, so you are probably safe here.

Also, the judgment creditor can levy any non-exempt assets, including bank accounts. Though you have some protection here, it could still be a problem. Here is what will probably happen in your non-community property state. The entire bank account funds will be frozen (checks bounce, bank fees, etc.). You will then have to request a hearing before the court to show what percentage of funds each of you contribute to the account. For example, if your husband contributes 75%, and you 25%, then 25% of the account will be retained by the court for the debt, and the remainder returned. This could take anywhere from a few days to weeks. It is not a fun, or carefree, situation to be in.. your account frozen and bills bouncing. Additionally, there are other possible assets that the creditor could go after.

My suggestion would be to contact the creditor and see if you can arrange some method to resolve this matter. In general, courts do not like to have their orders (the judgment) snubbed.