Waking Up to a Judgment from Portfolio Recovery Associates? Act Now.

Discovering that Portfolio Recovery Associates has obtained a default judgment against you or initiated a wage garnishment can feel like an overwhelming financial crisis. You may have had no idea a lawsuit was even filed. If you were never properly served with the original complaint, you may not have had the fair opportunity to defend yourself in court. The good news is that under Utah law, a default judgment entered without proper service is not necessarily the final word. At Cannon Legal PLLC, we understand the urgency of this situation and work to help you challenge these aggressive collection actions before they cause further damage to your financial future.

Understanding Utah Judgment Laws and Your Rights

In Utah, a civil judgment remains valid for eight years from the date of entry and can be renewed indefinitely if the creditor files a timely motion before that period expires. This means that if left unchecked, Portfolio Recovery Associates can continue to pursue your assets or earnings long after the initial debt was incurred.

If your wages are currently being garnished, Utah law provides specific protections. Generally, garnishment is capped at the lesser of 25% of your disposable earnings or the amount by which your weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage. While private student loans have a specific 10% cap under Utah Code § 70C-7-103, other consumer debts remain subject to these standard state limitations.

Knowing your rights is the first step toward regaining control. If your financial circumstances are complex, you may also consider Understanding Bankruptcy Options to see if a fresh start is the right path for your specific situation.

How We Fight Back

At Cannon Legal PLLC, we focus on aggressive, strategic defense against Portfolio Recovery Associates. We don’t believe you should simply accept a judgment that was entered without due process. We leverage the following services to protect your assets and your paycheck:

• Filing Motions to Vacate: If you were not properly served with the original summons and complaint, we can help you file a Motion to Vacate. If successful, this can set aside the default judgment, effectively hitting the “reset” button on the lawsuit and giving you a fair chance to defend the case on its merits.
• Negotiating Judgment Settlements: In cases where a judgment is valid, we can engage in professional negotiations with Portfolio Recovery Associates to reach a settlement. Our goal is to secure terms that are manageable for your budget, potentially reducing the total amount owed or stopping active collection efforts.
• Facilitating Title Company Payoffs: A judgment often creates a lien against your home, which can prevent you from selling or refinancing your property. We can assist in coordinating with title companies to ensure that judgment liens are accurately calculated and cleared, allowing your real estate transactions to proceed smoothly.

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More Utah Resources

• Judgments Defense in Utah
• Complete Directory of Judgments Creditors