amo_mea_filiis. Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 I got the judgement in the mail today. I lost. He did not win the entire amount he sued for. He sued for $1975 + interest + court fees. He won $450 + $50 court fees (he paid $99 to file). There are no details to say exactly what I did wrong. I plan to appeal with an attorney (I'm poor enough for legal aid). I have to appeal because I didn't friggen do anything! If I lose again, I have to find out what can happen in my state. I have nothing. No earned income, no property, no fancy car, etc. Does anyone know what he (the would have been landlord) can do to make me pay? :confused::thumbdown::crying::cursing: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LG Gone Wild Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 I got the judgement in the mail today. I lost. He did not win the entire amount he sued for. He sued for $1975 + interest + court fees. He won $450 + $50 court fees (he paid $99 to file). There are no details to say exactly what I did wrong. I plan to appeal with an attorney (I'm poor enough for legal aid). I have to appeal because I didn't friggen do anything! If I lose again, I have to find out what can happen in my state. I have nothing. No earned income, no property, no fancy car, etc. Does anyone know what he (the would have been landlord) can do to make me pay? :confused::thumbdown::crying::cursing: :glare: I am sorry. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuirkyKapers Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 :grouphug: I'm sorry to hear that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belacqua Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Oh, I am so angry for you. I wish you luck with your appeal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Unbelievable! I'm so sorry. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink Fairy Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 :ohmy: Bummer. :angry: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 :grouphug: Lots of hugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photo Ninja Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Appeal if you can. Unfortunately, the justice system doesn't guarantee that people in the right always win. It would be helpful if you could receive the reason for the decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RanchGirl Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Is this the landlord who was living in the house and storing his stuff there when the lease date began? Or am I confused with a different story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted October 12, 2011 Author Share Posted October 12, 2011 Is this the landlord who was living in the house and storing his stuff there when the lease date began? Or am I confused with a different story. Same issue. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 If it is small claims court you get one appeal. If he wins again you have to pay BUT he still has to collect. You could pay him one dollar a month. He could request a wage garnishment but if you have no wages??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted October 12, 2011 Author Share Posted October 12, 2011 Without more research, what I've learned so far is that wages can't be garnished in PA (which doesn't matter any way), he CAN attempt to take my car and stuff in the house. I have to look more into all of this. I'm pretty sure my bank accounts can't be frozen because I can prove that the only money going in is from SSI and child support. My car is a 94 with 195,000+ miles on it, and needs a new exhaust, has a bunch of engine gasket leaks, and a few other problems. Because he's already made a comment about me owning a car, I need to figure out how to protect it. I hope that having disabled children with various therapy needs with help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IdahoMtnMom Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 I just asked my cousin the attorney (since I was on the phone with him anyways) and he said that there is nothing the landlord can do until you get a job and he can garnish wages or you own a home and he can lein property. He DOES has the right to turn it over to a collection agency, though, and they could harass you a bit legally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted October 12, 2011 Author Share Posted October 12, 2011 Can't garnish wages in PA. A bank account can be garnished, but I don't think mine can. I've seen a few sites that list the steps he would have to go through. I have 30 days to file the appeal (it'll be started tomorrow!), or 30 days until he can attempt legal ways of collecting. I did find that PA has a few exempt assets, but I can't find details on what assets are exempt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebug42 Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Just as an FYI, this could also cause you rental problems in the future. I used to manage apartments and our rules were that any judgments like that for rental issues were automatic causes for denial. I am sorry that this has all been so difficult for you. Good luck with your appeal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Nyssa Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Oh, I am so sorry. That is too bad. Best wishes for your appeal, and for staying calm meantime. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RanchGirl Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 did you appear in small claims court and provide evidence that he was living in the rental unit at the time the lease was supposed to begin? I can't understand how a judge could side with him. So sorry you have to deal with this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted October 13, 2011 Author Share Posted October 13, 2011 We appeared before the Magistrate (if it matters). I had a witness that stated the condition of the house the day before the official move in date. Apparently that didn't matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I'm sorry. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise in Florida Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I don't know what the law is in your area about collection of judgements so I can't give you any specific advice. Maybe you could call the Clerk of the Courts office and ask for a list of your rights regarding collection? Many years ago dh and I worked as apartment managers. Several times there would be more damage to an apartment than could be covered by the deposit. Most of our tenants were students who would move out of town or out of state after leaving our building. We would go to small claims court and get a judgement. Usually there was no way to collect the money but the apartment owners could use the 'uncollected' judgement as a tax write off. I don't know if it still works that way, this was 20 years ago. If you don't have the money maybe he is planning on a write off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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