How To Collect Your Judgment Using Diplomacy
I'm a judgment broker, and not a lawyer. My articles are my opinions, and is not legal advice. If you ever need legal advice or a strategy to use, you should contact an attorney.
Being polite is one of those very few judgment recovery methods that are free. Beginning a recovery by being polite with your judgment debtor is easily done, has very few risks, with may help you get paid.
Before, during, and some time after the legal proceedings which resulted in their judgment; the debtor might have been stressed. However, maybe now, learning about your easy, relaxed repayment solution, where you agree to compromise to some degree on what is owed, might be interesting the debtor.
Being polite does not mean becoming a victim, or allowing yourself to get ripped off. Diplomacy means both parties are willing to negotiate to benefit both of them. Diplomacy requires some type of communication among the parties. Being polite works best when your judgment debtor wants to communicate with you.
Recovering a judgment with diplomacy starts when one uses a telephone, the mail, or eventually arrange to talk with you in person; how amenable the debtor is to your concept of negotiating with you, to fix your mutual dilemma of how to satisfy the judgment.
If the judgment debtor returns your telephone call, or communicates a response to your letter, that is a good sign. Some people that don't respond on the first try, may respond when you again try, some time later.
E-mail is fine, after one has first made contact with the debtor a different way, and are on good terms with them. Be careful on email, keep it short and friendly when discussing topics associated with the judgment. It is fine to cover topics such as the sports or the weather.
If using email, avoid sharing private information or going into details. Keep discussions concerning judgments or debts as polite and short as you can. Discussions with judgment debtors by email are best kept fairly close to general phrases like: "I got your check, thanks", "I did not get the check yet, thanks", "OK, try to send a check if you can", "Call me please", or "I'll mail you a statement".
It is not helpful to get into conversations about whether or not the ruling of the court was proper or not. Be sympathetic and empathetic, however politely remind them it's the judge's order that is important. Remind the debtor it's is best to work toward a solution, instead of thinking about things which cannot be changed. Any time one can persuade your judgment debtor to pay you voluntarily, it saves you money and time enforcing a judgment. With average judgment debtors, maybe try diplomatic discussions first.
If your judgment debtor is a professional fraud, you might wish to quickly start with heavy-duty enforcement strategies, to grab their assets by surprise, before they can conceal their money better. A scoundrel might attempt to hide their assets. Last-minute asset concealment rarely fools recovery specialists or courts.
The main point to make to the judgment debtor, is that judgments accrue interest, and judgments can get renewed, perhaps till the cows come home. If the debtor agrees to start paying with a lump sum or making payments, you could waive part of the interest owed, and save them a lot of recovery expenses. Reaching an agreement with you, saves them lots of time, hassles, and cash.
Sometimes a debtor is willing to pay, however doesn't have the money available to pay you. Payment plans may be a solution. Even the most optimistic debtor cannot predict their future. When your judgment debtor is poor, having the debtor pay what they are able to, when they can, should be your goal.
Even when the debtor has income and/or a job, is rare for them to consistently make (on time) long term payments. It is a good idea to have them agree to contact you by email, phone, or mail once a month; even if just to tell you they "cannot pay you this month".
The worst thing that can happen when you begin by being polite, is that your judgment debtor will not respond or will be uncivil; in which case you can begin regular judgment recovery strategies.
About the Author
http://www.JudgmentBuy.com - Judgment Enforcement. The free, easiest, fastest, and best chance to recover your judgment money. Mark D. Shapiro, the judgment matchmaker. JudgmentBuy has the best free judgment referral leads for enforcers, judgment buyers, and contingency collection attorneys.
Tell others about
this page:
Comments? Questions? Email Here