Judgment Collection

[Hal Cranmer]

Hi.

I won a judgment against a tenant for a substantial amount of money in small claims court. The judgment was for less than half of what the tenant owes me in damages and unpaid rent because it was the limit for small claims court. The tenant abandoned the property on me and refused to talk to me before he vacated except to say he would call the police if I brought any new prospective tenants over to show it.

Now that I am in the collection phase and have just served him with an order to disclose his financial information, he saw that he could get arrested if he does not show up. So for the first time in 6 months he texted me asking if we could work something out. I wrote him that if he sent me a check for the judgment that I would drop the case. I have not heard back.

My question is - should I just go forward with pursuing the whole amount? Or talk to him about a deal. What is everyone's experience? His wife is on the lease as well, so I am going after both of them.

Thanks for the help.