County court judgements are court decisions declaring that a defendant in a lawsuit owes the plaintiff money. One a judge issues a judgement, the plaintiff has the right to attempt to collect the money owed. Judgements can severely damage your credit and, in some cases, create financial havoc for you and your family after a plaintiff begins collection efforts.Financial ConsequencesIn most states, a plaintiff can garnish your wages by forcing your employer to send him or her a percentage of each of your paychecks until your debt is paid. Plaintiffs can also seize your bank account funds and other valuable property. While it is sometimes possible to suspend a garnishment or bank account seizure by filing a hardship claim with the court, you may have to file for bankruptcy if you are unable to pay your judgement and want to permanently stop collection activity.Credit ConsequencesOnce issued, county court judgements become a matter of public record. This means that credit reporting bureaus can add information about a court judgement to your credit reports. If you pay off your judgement, it stays on your credit report for seven years. If you don't pay off your judgement, it stays on your credit report until the statute of limitations on debt collection expires: In some states, this can take decades. A judgement on your credit report not only makes it difficult to get new credit, it can also prevent you from renting an apartment, getting insurance or being hired for a job.Getting HelpIf you are threatened with a lawsuit, don't ignore the situation. Instead, seek legal help immediately. A lawyer can advise you about the strength of the case against you as well as your options for fighting the suit or settling it out of court. Even if you can't afford to hire a lawyer to represent you in court, a consultation with a lawyer will help you to understand your rights. If you can't afford to pay for a consultation with an attorney, contact the Legal Aid Society in your area.