@Anonymous wrote:
I have a 5yr old public record judgment from 2010. It was a rent to own property, but after I lost my job due to a medical illness with my child, I could no longer pay to stay. The judgment was $5000 and has now went to over $8000. I'm not garnished as I do not have a job due to medical illness. Very scared. Can't afford it.
Look at the SOL in your state, non-zero chance it might expire in the next few years anyway; if it becomes an issue you can always declare a Ch 13 or 7 and get them gone if the financial situation is that dire but it likely won't come to that. Creditors know there's no point in going after someone who doesn't have enough money to pay it off which is likely what's happening here.
Other than the ding on your credit score, and not being able to qualify for a mortgage (which doesn't sound like it's in the cards anyway?) there's not a whole lot of leverage they really have. I'd just go on with my life if I were you if you can't pay it now.
Note: this isn't professional advice, but when we're talking old and unpayable debt (I had one of those, a Ch 13 would've saved me a boatload if push had come to shove) that may well expire in short order, hiding one's head in the sand isn't the dumb strategy it typically is.
I think apr is 9% or something unless otherwise noted for that kind of debt. All of my original judgements are about 1000 dollars, by the time I got around to making payments they were all 3000+.
Itll fall off your report after about 7 years and it wont come back, even if you pay and its satisfied or they re file an extention (I think thats at 10 years) so they still have the option to garnish and go after you for the debt.
I would call them and figure the minimum payments to keep the interest from accruing more debt. (not the best because your not paying it off but it would keep you from owing more)
and dont worry! Nothing is forever and its not life or death so its not much to stress over 
Things always sort themselves out!