What Are Judgments and How Do They Affect Your Credit?
A judgment is a court ruling that states you legally owe money to a creditor or debt collector. While credit bureaus no longer include judgments on credit reports, lenders and collection agencies can still access court records. Therefore, unpaid judgments may still affect your financial stability.
Types of Judgments That May Impact Your Credit
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Civil Judgment – A court declares you owe money to a creditor.
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Default Judgment – Issued when you fail to appear in court after being sued.
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Vacated Judgment – A judgment that was later overturned or dismissed.
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Satisfied Judgment – A paid-in-full judgment that still shows in public records.
How Judgments Can Influence Your Financial Future
Judgments can affect more than your credit score. Let’s look at the broader consequences:
Legal Penalties
You could face wage garnishments, bank levies, or even property liens if the judgment remains unpaid.
Loan and Credit Challenges
Although judgments are no longer on credit reports, lenders may still review court documents. As a result, you might struggle to get loan or credit approval.
Higher Borrowing Costs
Even if approved, your interest rates might be higher due to the perceived financial risk.
Career Setbacks
Judgments can show up in background checks, possibly affecting jobs that require government or military security clearance.
Note: Since 2017, credit bureaus have stopped reporting judgments. However, lenders and debt collectors still check court records.
Steps to Remove a Judgment from Your Record
Even though judgments don’t appear on credit reports anymore, removing them from public records is crucial. Landlords, employers, and lenders often check court databases. Here’s how to take control:
1. Verify the Judgment Information
Before you file any motions, ensure all details are accurate:
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Check court records – Contact the courthouse where the judgment was issued.
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Confirm all data – Double-check the case number, debt amount, and creditor details.
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Search for errors – If there are any procedural mistakes, you may dispute the judgment.
If you discover any mistake, you might be able to dispute or vacate the judgment.
2. File a Motion to Vacate (If Applicable)
If the court entered the judgment unfairly, you can request to have it vacated.
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Submit a motion to vacate the judgment.
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Attach documentation showing it was improperly served or legally invalid.
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Attend the hearing if the court schedules one.
When vacated, the judgment is erased from the records, and lenders cannot use it against you.
3. Negotiate a Settlement and Get It Marked “Satisfied”
If vacating the judgment isn’t possible, you can still settle it.
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Negotiate with the creditor to pay less than the full amount.
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After payment, ask for a “Satisfaction of Judgment” document.
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Ensure the court updates the case as “satisfied.”
While satisfied judgments stay in public records, they appear more favorable to lenders.
4. Dispute Judgments on Background Checks
Even if judgments don’t affect your credit report, they may still surface during rental screenings or employment checks.
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Request a copy of your background report.
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Dispute outdated or inaccurate records.
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Submit proof if the judgment has been vacated or satisfied.
This is especially important if you are a job seeker, renter, or someone applying for a security clearance.
5. Let the Judgment Expire (When Necessary)
If none of the above options apply, you may have to wait.
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Most judgments expire within 5–10 years, depending on your state.
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Once expired, they become unenforceable.
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However, some states allow renewal. Check your local laws.
If a judgment has expired, you may request its removal from public databases.
How Long Do Judgments Stay in Public Records?
| Judgment Type | Time in Public Records |
|---|---|
| Unpaid Judgment | 5–10 years (varies by state, renewable in some cases) |
| Satisfied | Remains, but marked as “paid” |
| Vacated | Removed entirely |
Some states allow indefinite renewal, so acting sooner is often the best approach.
How Credit1Solutions.com Can Help You
Our team speeds up the judgment removal process by helping you take legal and strategic steps:
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We challenge inaccurate and outdated judgments using FCRA and FDCPA.
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We assist in filing motions to vacate judgments where valid.
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We negotiate with creditors and request Satisfaction of Judgment.
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We help you dispute judgments on background checks.
Instead of waiting years, our clients see results much faster.
Client Testimonials
Jessica P., Homebuyer
“A judgment was still showing on my mortgage check. Credit1Solutions.com helped me remove it, and I got approved!”
David R., Military Personnel
“I needed a clean record for a security clearance. They handled the process and got it cleared!”
Mark J., Small Business Owner
“They helped me settle a judgment, and my financial reputation was back on track!”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I remove a judgment before it expires?
Yes, if it was filed incorrectly, contains errors, or gets vacated in court.
Do credit bureaus report judgments?
No. Since 2017, they no longer include them. But lenders can still see them through court records.
How do I vacate a judgment?
File a motion with the court and show that the ruling was improper or not legally served.
Can a judgment be renewed?
Yes. Some states allow indefinite renewal, so it’s better to settle or vacate it quickly.
Can Credit1Solutions.com help remove judgments?
Yes! We help dispute, vacate, settle, and remove judgments from background reports.
Contact Us Today and Get Judgments Removed the Right Way
Don’t wait years for a judgment to expire. Take action today.
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We eliminate inaccurate and unverifiable records.
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We help clients file legal challenges against invalid judgments.
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We assist with security clearance and job-related background screenings.
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We guide you through every step of the judgment removal process.