Recently, I received a letter from an attorney who said a judgment had been made against me for a certain dollar amount and that they would commence in wage garnishment proceedings in 15 days from the date of the letter.
When the attorney says they have already received a judgment, does that mean that I have already been sued and a judge has already signed off on it? Or is this not like a law suit at all?
Did I not have any legal right to contest the judgment, or appear in court for it? I have heard mixed things -- some people have told me that for them to get a judgment like this, they MUST send me a summons, while others have told me that they (the collection agency) can just go ahead and do it.
Does anyone know if I have any rights in this scenario? What can I do to contest the garnishment, or request that the garnishment amount be lowered (as it currently FAR exceeds the requirements I need to stay off the street and keep my job)?
* Note: I am in the state of Arizona. I also do not want to contest the AMOUNT, as it IS what I owe. I intend to pay it back, but I just want my rights and I want to get an idea of how this is supposed to work.
When the attorney says they have already received a judgment, does that mean that I have already been sued and a judge has already signed off on it? Or is this not like a law suit at all?
Did I not have any legal right to contest the judgment, or appear in court for it? I have heard mixed things -- some people have told me that for them to get a judgment like this, they MUST send me a summons, while others have told me that they (the collection agency) can just go ahead and do it.
Does anyone know if I have any rights in this scenario? What can I do to contest the garnishment, or request that the garnishment amount be lowered (as it currently FAR exceeds the requirements I need to stay off the street and keep my job)?
* Note: I am in the state of Arizona. I also do not want to contest the AMOUNT, as it IS what I owe. I intend to pay it back, but I just want my rights and I want to get an idea of how this is supposed to work.