Do you handle cases on a contingency?

We handle most uncontested cases on a contingency fee basis.

How does Stephen B. Elggren, PC. collect money from debtors?

We always seek to collect debt without filing a lawsuit before we move into litigation.

If we cannot collect the debt without a lawsuit, we file a lawsuit against the debtor. The lawsuit will seek repayment of money owed, interest, damages available for breach of contract, and if applicable, attorney’s fees incurred as part of the litigation process. When the judge awards a judgment to collect damages, the debtor becomes legally obligated to pay.

How does Stephen B. Elggren, PC. collect on judgments?

A judgment gives us the power to do certain things:

1.) We can garnish the debtor’s bank account or wages.
2.) We can seize the debtor’s assets and sell them through a writ of execution.
3.) We can file a garnishment action against any third party that owes the debtor money.
4.) We record an abstract of judgment that can become a lien on any real property in the county where the debtor has or acquires an interest in real property. That judgment lien can be valid for 8 years, can be renewed, and if the debtor sells property that is subject to the lien, the debtor will have to first payoff the judgment lien before he/she can get clear title.