Expert: Regan Shinski - 9/18/2009

Question
I have a debt from 2000 that I recently got a letter from Calvary Portfolio and the Court.  I now have a judgement on my credit report, how can I get this resolved?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Lisa:

When you say it is "from" 2000, do you mean the date of last activity on the account was in 2000?  If so, when was the judgement filed?  Did you show up or was it a default judgement?

In general, the account itself and any related collection account cannot stay on your credit reports for more than seven years from the date of first delinquency.  This is the date the account became 30 days late and was never caught up again.  THAT account should be removed (if that is the case) through a simple dispute as "obsolete" with the credit reporting agencies.

A judgement will not be removed until seven years after satisfaction, or seven years from entry date if not renewed, or indefinitely if it is renewed and unsatisfied as allowed by local/state laws, or until it is vacated by a court action.

If the judgement was entered after the statute of limitations expired, you need to go to court and get it vacated.  This will require some diligence on your part and the procedure varies by county and state.  Basically you go to the court to appeal or reopen the case, then you claim an affirmative defense as beyond the statute of limitations.  This is only if they filed the case beyond the statute of limitations.

I hope this helps.  Often consumer disputes are difficult or will not get the response you expected.  We are a credit repair company that specializes in removing accounts just like this from your credit reports.  Please feel free to contact me directly if I can help you do this work and research.

Good luck!

Regan
813-454-1459