Things You'll Need:
- Computer
- Internet
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Step 1
Obtain Your credit report. Request a free credit report at annualcreditreport.com Visiting this website will allow you to obtain your credit report from Equifax, Experian and Transunion. Review your credit report from each credit bureau for any judgments that may appear. Make a note of which judgments are listed, the account number(s), and the reporting court.
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Step 2
File Disputes. Visit the credit bureau's website where the judgment appeared. Go to either experian.com, equifax.com or transunion.com. Each of these websites offer the option of filing a dispute online. File a dispute by clicking on the "Dispute an Item" link or similar button. Enter your personal identification information and credit report number. The credit report number will be listed on the top of each credit bureau's credit report. Click on or enter the judgment that you are disputing. Enter the reason you are disputing the judgment. The credit bureaus will provide a list of reasons to choose from; paid, error, not your account and too old to be reported are several.
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Step 3
Wait for Investigation. Disputing any judgments on your credit report allows the credit bureaus to investigate the dispute. The credit bureau contacts the court who reported the judgment and asks for verification of the judgment. The court has 30 days to verify the judgment. If verified as an accurate judgment, the judgment remains and you need to take further action. If the court cannot verify accurate information or they miss the 30 day deadline, the judgment will either be updated or removed. The credit bureaus either contact your by email or mail with the results of the investigation. Check the status of your disputes online at their website also.
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Step 4
Negotiate. Call the creditor if the credit bureau has verified the judgment and it remains on your credit report. Ask the creditor to dismiss the judgment in exchange for paying it. Prepare a short agreement in writing that states your agreement. Ask the creditor to file the necessary form at the courthouse dismissing the judgment. Be sure to state that you want the judgment dismissed, not "satisfied" or "paid as agreed". Not being reported as "dismissed" could result in the judgment not being removed and the judgment being updated.
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Step 5
File Legal Documents. Pursue the option of filing a motion to vacate if you think you were improperly served with the judgment, the judgment was an error, or you were exempt because of retirement or SSI. Visit the courthouse and file a Motion to Vacate if it still remains on your credit report. Filing this motion allows eligible individuals to request the court to vacate the judgment. Ask the court clerk the eligibility requirements and if she has public forms available. Contact an attorney or paralegal for preparation if necessary. He will prepare his own motion to vacate that follows the court's guidelines. File the completed motion with court clerk; she will set up a court time in which you need to appear. Once the judge has approved your motion, the judgment is now eligible for removal from your credit report. The court will update the information and report it to the credit bureaus within 30 to 45 days.
