Debt Collection, Suits, and Judgments

Being contacted by debt collectors is stressful. Knowing your rights can help. This page contains information about your rights when dealing with debt collectors, if you are sued for a debt, or if a creditor already got a judgment against you, including if the creditor is seeking to garnish your wages or attach (take) your property.

General Resources

Debt Collection Basics

Statewide

Debt Collection Brochure

Find information on your rights in dealing with debt collectors, including a sample letter to collection agency.

Statewide

Lawsuits and Judgments for Money

If a debt collector does not get a response from the debtor, the creditor might file a civil case (lawsuit for money). If you are the debtor/defendant (person being sued), and you don’t answer in the required time, the creditor/plaintiff (party bringing the suit) can get a default judgment, meaning the creditor wins without you having your day in court. If the creditor gets a civil judgment for money and debtor does not voluntarily pay, the judgment creditor can try to collect the money by “executing” on the judgment. The following resources explain civil lawsuits for money, including how to file or defend against a suit, and civil judgments, including how to collect or fight the judgment.

Lawsuits for Money

Learn about “civil” cases, whether you need to defend yourself or are thinking of suing. Although the website has Clark County specific forms, the general information applies statewide.

Statewide

Judgments for Money

Statewide

Learn about judgments and collecting in a civil suit, including how the losing party can protect “exempt” money and property being taken to pay the judgment. You can also learn what to do if a “default judgment” was entered against you. Civil Law Self-Help Center’s general information applies statewide; check with your court about forms to use if you live outside of Clark County.

Garnishment & Attachment

When somebody gets a money judgment, they (the judgment creditor) then can take actions to collect the money from the person who owes the money (the judgment debtor) by garnishment (getting paid out of judgment debtor’s wages) or attachment (taking judgment debtor’s property).

Nevada law provides that certain assets are exempt (protected) from collection by creditors. If all of the judgment debtor’s money and other property fall under these exemptions, they are “collection proof” (sometimes called “judgment proof”). However, the debtor has to take steps to claim their exemptions.

Attachment and Garnishment Brochure

Learn about how judgment creditors can legally take property or money to pay the judgment, and the judgment debtor’s exemption rights.

Statewide

Property a Creditor Can and Can’t Take

Learn about “exemptions” and the actions the debtor must take to prevent exempt property or income from being taken to pay a civil judgment. Although the forms are for Clark County, the information applies statewide.

Statewide