If a hospital just got a judgement against me, what canI do to protect the littlethat Ihave?

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If a hospital just got a judgement against me, what canI do to protect the littlethat Ihave?

Judgement is for $35,000; solely in my name. The only thing of value is a 1 bedroom condo going for 10-16k at this time. I made my wife co-owner by adding her name to the deed 2 weeks prior to hospital getting judgement. Also there are 2 cars with a combined book value 20k. The cars are in my name only. Would it be a good idea to put her name on the car titles or is it too late for that? The judgement is a few days old now is why I ask. Can they take my cars? I was told the house is safe and if we want to sell they can’t take any proceeds because e are both named on the deed. Is it the same with the cars?

Asked on June 18, 2011 under Bankruptcy Law, Florida

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

It is probably too late to transfer any assets, including cars: doing so at this point would be deemed a transfer in fraud of creditors and could be disallowed. You may wish to consider bankruptcy as an option; in bankruptcy you should be able to discharge, or eliminate, the debt. If you don't do that, the hospital could try to satisfy the judgment against you for years to come; they could garnish your wages or bank account; they could put a lien on the condo, which could prevent you from selling it (or rather--require you to pay the lien as part of selling it, which will affect how and for how much you could sell it)...in short, having a $35k judgment hanging over you is not something you want to have.


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