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Business Debt/small claims judgment for business

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Expert: - 4/21/2011


Question
A Plaintiff named 5 individuals and 2 corporations in a small claims action. A default judgment was entered against only me as I was not in attendance at the hearing.  The corporations - my ex-employers have both filed BK and no longer exist.  I was an employee and not an owner.  The Plaintiff only knew of me because of a letter he received from my department with my name on it. I filed a motion to vacate, but now there is another hearing set.  I cannot go to it for the same reason I missed the first one - I am unemployed and cannot afford the gas to the court which is 264 miles round-trip away.
Can I legitimately be held responsible for my previous employer's issues?

Answer
Laura:
Thanks for the inquiry. I am not an attorney, therefore it is difficult for me to speculate on the potential exposure this situation may present. However, it does not appear that you in any way signed a personal guarantee, and were certainly not an officer / owner of the business. I do not know what action can be taken after the fact, and advise that you should really seek legal council, there are websites such as www.lawhelp.org that can assist you in seeking low cost legal aid to ask these questions. Also if you know who else was named (erroneously) than perhaps you can co-engage counsel to advise you all on your rights in this matter. I wish you the best.

Respectfully,

Christine Janklow

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Christine Janklow

Expertise

As President of SettleSource,Inc. a business debt settlement firm, I invite you to inquire about all aspects of business debt solutions to best determine which may be most appropriate. If you have questions such as: What is debt settlement and how process provide debt relief to my business? What options are available to deal with my business debts? Is it possible for a business owner to negotiate their own settlements? Why is debt settlement preferable to filing a bankruptcy or debt consolidation? Why are creditors willing to provide settlements to a business? How will settling debts affect credit scores? or How to rebuild a business after debt is eliminated. Please ask it now! For more information regarding how debt settlement can help your business, please visit www.SettleSource.com and place your inquiry. Mention All Experts to have a confidential no cost consultation with Christine. If this is your business situation time may play a very important factor in getting matters resolved proactively before they have negative affects on the business.

Experience

My expertise is specific to providing business solutions that will have profound positive impacts on the financial health of businesses. I have 25 years experience as an entrepreneur and have developed national sales programs; strategic alliances; product development; marketing programs; business and turnaround plans and debt settlement programs all providing methods to improve the financial outlook for large and small businesses. In the area of commercial debt settlement I have over 10 years experience working with large and medium corporations and closely held businesses to enable successful debt reduction and turnaround. I am a professional debt arbitrator and have negotiated with major banking institutions as well as vendors, suppliers and other trade creditors.

Organizations
Provisors;Turnaround Management Association; Los Angeles area

Publications
Accounting Today; Web CPA; National Restauarant Association;Los Angeles Daily News; Today Magazine Monthly series of business articles entitled "Brand News."

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Business Administration; Associate of Arts Merchandising

Past/Present Clients
American Airlines, American Express, Safeway Inc., New York Life, consumer products manufacturers; retailers, food service industry and other small businesses and service providers.

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