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What Happens If Someone Sues You and You Have No Money?

George Simons | January 15, 2024

George Simons
Co-Founder of SoloSuit
George Simons, JD/MBA

George Simons is the co-founder and CEO of SoloSuit. He has helped Americans protect over $1 billion from predatory debt lawsuits. George graduated from BYU Law school in 2020 with a JD-MBA. In his spare time, George likes to cook, because he likes to eat.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Fact-checked by Patrick Austin, J.D.

Patrick Austin
Attorney from George Mason
Patrick Austin, JD

Patrick Austin is a licensed attorney with a background in data privacy and information security law. Patrick received his law degree at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School, where he served as the Editor-in-Chief for the National Security Law Journal.

Summary: When you get sued and you have no money, debt collectors can garnish your wages and seize your property to get the funds repaid. However, you may be protected by some of these collection methods, depending on which state you live in. SoloSuit can help you respond to your debt collection lawsuit and win in court.

Being served with a debt collection lawsuit can be extremely stressful, especially if you are already struggling to stay afloat financially. The prospect of going to court and defending yourself against a large debt collection company can be intimidating and even overwhelming. That fear is often exacerbated when you are down to your last dime and unable to pay if you lose the legal battle.

So, if you’re wondering what happens if you get sued and you have no money or assets, keep reading. We’ll break down all the scenarios and help you understand your options.

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What happens if you are sued and can't pay?

You would expect a creditor or debt collector to sue you only after they have determined that you can pay. However, sometimes you find yourself in court knowing fully well that you can't afford to pay if you lose. Unfortunately, having no money is not a defense and that knowledge is essential if you find yourself facing a lawsuit.

Debt collection cases are all about the creditor or debt collector proving that someone owes them money according to a signed contract. Many debt collectors file lawsuits assuming that the debtors won't Answer the Summons, and as a result, lose the case by default.

Since default judgments last a long time, some creditors and collectors sue you because they hope you may be able to pay back what you owe in the future. Whatever the issue, losing a case when you can't pay can be a nightmare.

What happens if you lose a lawsuit and you don't pay?

If you can't pay a lawsuit, the judgment serves as a way to enforce collection through other means.

Upon request, the court may order a debtor’s examination. A debtor’s examination is a hearing where the person or company suing you can ask you questions about your income and assets; then, they may seek compensation from you in another way.

Failure to attend a debtor’s examination can lead to serious problems.

Based on what they learn during your debtor’s examination, here are other ways someone can collect money from you if you don’t pay losing a lawsuit:

  • Wage garnishment.
  • Bank account freezes.
  • Property liens.

Let's take a moment to break each of these methods down in detail.

Wage garnishment

One option potentially available to the plaintiff is initiating a wage garnishment. They prefer this option if you are gainfully employed and receiving non-exempt income from a job. A debt collector cannot access your income if you earn less than minimum wage or receive social security or disability. On the other hand, if you are paid more than minimum wage or have a salaried position, a debt collector could garnish up to 25% of your earnings.

It's important to note that wage garnishment laws vary by state. For example, the state of New York declares many types of income to be exempt from garnishment and other collection methods. The types of income include Supplemental Security Income, welfare, Spousal Support, Child Support, Unemployment Benefits, Disability Benefits, Veterans Benefits, and more.

Bank account freezes

In addition to wage garnishment, a debt collector who wins a judgment against you will likely try to liquidate funds maintained in your bank account or checking account. However, creditors cannot liquidate those funds if you have a retirement account like an account protected under ERISA, such as a 401K. IRA's are more vulnerable, but each state has rules governing whether they can be garnished to satisfy a debt. Nevertheless, the funds in your checking account could be accessed and drained to pay a portion of the judgment.

Property liens

Once they obtain a judgment, creditors and debt collectors can record a lien on your property at the deeds registry. In effect, they own part of your property because of the money you owe. They can also place a lien on your home if you have high home equity. The law regulates if and when a creditor can place a lien on your home. It's crucial to find out if you qualify for property lien exemptions, which vary by state.

What happens if you get sued and have no money or assets?

Even if you own nothing now, the creditor can come after you in the future. Remember that judgments are usually renewable, meaning they can be valid for many years. So if you plan to own property or earn money in the future, you're not immune to judgments.

Typically, the following types of assets are collectible if a judgment is entered against you:

  • Real estate
  • Vehicles
  • Boats
  • Jewelry
  • Bank accounts

If you don’t own any of these assets, and you have no money, you might think you don’t have to worry about a judgment. And you might be right. In fact, a lack of property and money can make you judgment-proof in some cases. However, that's not always the case, and being judgment-proof largely depends on your state of residence and its garnishment laws.

If you plan to own any of these assets in the future, watch out. With proper renewal of the judgment, these possessions might be at risk of seizure or liens.

Let's consider an example of judgment-proof.

Example: Mark, who lives in Florida, lost a debt collection lawsuit in 2010 but was unable to pay. It's been twelve years, but the judgment is still active because such a decision lasts 20 years in Florida. After 20 years, it is possible to renew it. If Mark gets a job paying more than minimum wage, or buys a property, the creditor can still put a lien on his property or bank account to pay his 2010 judgment.


What happens if someone sues you and you don't have the money?

If you get sued and you don't have the money to pay, defend yourself. The first step to defend yourself in a debt lawsuit is through filing an Answer to the Summons and Complaint.

Do not ignore a Summons for debt collection. Instead, file an Answer to preserve your ability to fight the lawsuit. Check the statute of limitations on debt in your state. In most states, the clock on the statute of limitation starts at the date of the last activity on the account. If the statute of limitations has expired, the creditor or debt collector cannot legally sue you. If you cannot prevent the case from going to court and you lose, you may still have a way out.

Attempt to negotiate with the plaintiff

If you lack the funds to pay the judgment in full, you could reach out to the plaintiff and try to negotiate a post-judgment settlement. This may be worthwhile since, at the end of the day, the plaintiff wants to receive some form of compensation. They may accept a lower amount or a payment plan so they can get the money back. Whether the plaintiff is willing to accept a lower amount or agrees to set up a payment plan depends largely on the creditor and the amount owed.

Consider bankruptcy

In many instances, if you are sued and lose the lawsuit, you may be in a position to file for bankruptcy, depending on the amount owed from the suit. The debt from a judgment can usually be erased if you take the proper steps to formally declare for bankruptcy. And it can provide the statutory protections for your personal property when you are being pursued by a debt collector on an adverse judgment.

For example, if you declare Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your creditors no longer have the right to try and collect from you (which can give you financial and psychological relief, since you should stop receiving hounding phone calls and correspondence).

Bankruptcy is generally not recommended if you are trying to address a single debt. Instead, bankruptcy should only be considered after conducting a thorough review of your finances, income, and debts.

How to prevent a default judgment

Consumers often bring a default judgment on themselves by ignoring the lawsuit. If you don't file an Answer with the court, you lose your chance to give an affirmative defense, and automatically lose the case.

SoloSuit has all the documents you need to respond to debt collection letters and lawsuits, force a suit out of court, and offer to settle. One of these documents may be what you need:

  • Debt Validation Letter: Send this to a debt collector after they contact you for the first time and before you get sued. This letter is a formal request for debt validation. If a debt collector cannot provide the proper documentation and evidence to prove that the debt is valid, they must cease collection efforts. This is a great way to not only prevent a default judgment, but also a debt lawsuit altogether.
  • Answer: The first step to winning a debt lawsuit is to respond with a written Answer. This document must be professional and follow legal formatting. SoloSuit's Answer form includes a section for your responses to each claim from the Summons and Complaint, a section for affirmative defenses, and a certificate of service.
  • Motion to Compel Arbitration: If you are being sued for a credit card debt, and there was an arbitration clause in your credit card agreement, you can file a Motion to Compel Arbitration and avoid having to go to court. If the court grants your motion, you will have the opportunity to discuss with an arbitrator and the debt collector. Often, arbitration can lead to a settlement that works for both parties.
  • SoloSettle: You may know that you owe the debt for which you are being sued, and you might have enough funds to pay some of it off in a lump sum. Many debt collectors are willing to accept a percentage of the debt as a settlement. SoloSettle makes it easy to start the negotiation process and avoid going to court. Be sure to start with a low offer so you have room to build on it.

If you need help on how to handle debt collectors and creditors, SoloSuit has all the resources you need. We'll answer all your questions and guide you along the way. Check out the video below to learn more about how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit:

Other FAQs about getting sued when you have no money

What happens if you win a lawsuit and they can't pay?

If you win a lawsuit and the losing party can't pay the judgment, there are a few potential outcomes:

  • Debtor’s Examination: If you know the person you’re suing can’t pay, you can request a debtor’s examination hearing where you can ask about their income and assets in order to find other ways to collect the money they owe you.
  • Payment Plan or Settlement: Sometimes, the court may allow the debtor to set up a payment plan. Alternatively, you might negotiate a settlement for a lesser amount that the debtor can afford to pay.
  • Asset Liquidation: The court may order the seizure and sale of the debtor's assets to pay the judgment.
  • Garnishment: This involves taking a portion of the debtor's upcoming wages or bank account to pay the debt.
  • Lien: You could place a lien on the debtor's property, such as real estate, which must be paid if the property is sold.

When you win a lawsuit, the court enters a judgment against whoever you are suing. Judgments often have a time limit, but they can usually be renewed if the debtor still can't pay by the time the judgment expires. So, if you win a lawsuit and they can’t pay, you can renew the judgment in the future if the person you sued ends up having a change in income. You may be entitled to their future earnings.

In some cases, if the debtor has no assets and no prospect of future income, you might not be able to collect anything. For example, if the debtor declares bankruptcy, you may not be able to collect your judgment, especially if the debt is unsecured.

It's important to note that the specifics can vary based on your state’s jurisdiction and the nature of the judgment. Legal advice is recommended for guidance in these situations.

Can a finance company sue you?

Yes, a finance company can sue you.

If you have a loan or credit agreement with a finance company and you fail to make payments as agreed, the company has the legal right to file a lawsuit against you to recover the owed amount. This could include unpaid loan balances, missed payments on a car loan, credit card debts, or other types of financial obligations.

When a finance company sues, they are typically seeking to obtain a court judgment against you for the amount you owe. If they win the lawsuit and you don’t pay, the judgment could lead to wage garnishment, bank account levies, or seizing of assets, depending on the laws in your state.

Can someone sue you for money without a contract?

Yes, someone can sue you for money even if they don’t have a contract to prove you owe. However, the chances of them winning in court are low without any documented proof of the money owed.

What happens if you are sued for more than you have?

If you get sued for more than you have, you can negotiate a settlement to pay off what you can afford. But if your creditor refuses to settle, your wages could be at risk for garnishment and your assets may be at risk for seizure.

What if I’m being sued for a car accident, but I have no assets?

If you have auto insurance, your insurance company should cover you up to the limit of your policy. The insurance company will also provide a lawyer to defend you in the lawsuit. If the claim exceeds your policy limits, you could be personally liable for the excess amount.

If you truly have no assets and limited income, you might be considered "judgment proof." This means that even if the other party wins the lawsuit, they may not be able to collect any money from you. However, being judgment proof doesn't prevent the lawsuit from proceeding or a judgment from being entered against you.

Sometimes, plaintiffs are willing to settle for an amount that can be paid through an insurance policy or for a lesser amount if they know that collecting the full judgment will be difficult or impossible.

It's important to consult with a lawyer to understand your rights and options in this situation, as laws and procedures can vary significantly depending on your location and the specifics of your case.

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The Ultimate 50 State Guide

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