Walk It Through: The Old Bill
Six years on a contract, a 10% cap on a wage execution, and $1,000.00 of property kept.
A collection letter arrives for a credit card balance from years ago that was never paid.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One old bill and one collector. Judgments under seal, how execution is carried out, and the collector's own conduct are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Wage executionAn order taking part of a judgment debtor's wages, salary or other earnings, which may not exceed 10%, unless the debtor's income is more than 250 % of the poverty level for their family size.
- Disorderly persons offenseThe grade below the crimes, punishable by not more than 6 months and a fine up to $1,000.00.
- Petty disorderly persons offenseThe lowest grade, punishable by not more than 30 days and a fine up to $500.00.
- Statute of limitationsThe time to sue or to prosecute: six years for a contract not under seal, two years for an injury to the person, and, unless the statute provides otherwise, five years for a crime and one year for a disorderly persons offense.