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The Daily Insight Hub

Is a charge-off the same as a Judgement?

Author

Matthew Harrington

Updated on February 07, 2026

Judgments and Charge-Offs A judgment is simply a formal court affirmation that a creditor is entitled to the repayment of a debt and can pursue more aggressive means of collection against you, including wage garnishment in some states. A charge-off has no effect on a judgment against you.

Can a creditor report the same debt twice?

Some debt collectors may try to report a debt on a consumer’s credit report twice. Though some consumers may have multiple debts owed to the same debt collector or creditor (which can be reported separately), each debt can only be reported one time.

What happens when debt is charged off on your credit report?

Your credit report will now list a charge off, which is very negative for your credit score. Then, the creditor will sell the debt to a collection agency, which also reports the debt as a collection account. 〉Read more: What Does Charged Off as Bad Debt Mean? Hey, I need some advice on my credit, and you’re the oldest, wisest person I know.

Can a judgment on a credit card be charged off?

While a charge-off can ultimately lead to a delinquency, a judgment cannot get charged-off. Typically, you have to be months or even years behind on your payments before you get a judgment against you. However, once a judgment is lodged against you, your creditor has the backing of…

How does a debt collector get a judgment?

A creditor — a debt collector that owns a debt account is a creditor — has several legal means of collecting a debt. But before the creditor can start, the creditor must go to court to receive a judgment. A court (or in some states, a law firm for the plaintiff) is required to notify the debtor of the time and place of the hearing.

Can a court grant a judgment to a debtor?

The court may decide to grant a judgment to the creditor. A judgment is a declaration by a court that the creditor has the legal right to demand a wage garnishment, a levy on the debtor’s bank accounts, and a lien on the debtor’s property. Which of these tools the creditor will use depends on the circumstances.