Find Out the Statute of Limitations in your State for ordinary types of debts: oral, written, promissary notes, and open-ended accounts.

A judgement occurs when a creditor takes you to court and sues you for money you owe them. They must do this before the Statute of Limitations has expired for the original debt.

The court will try and contact you via mail, but they do not need proof that you were contacted, and you do not have to be present in order for your creditor to win. The creditor only has to provide proof that the debt is owed. You want to avoid this at all costs, for it is after a judgement is issued that a creditor can seize bank accounts, assets or garnish wages.

In addition, it is easy to renew a judgement once its SOL has past. If the creditor is diligent about his renewals, you could find yourself in the position where a judgement against you never expires. A judgement will drop off your credit report after 7 years, but your creditor can pursue you until the debt is paid.