What happens if you are sued for more than you have?
Rachel Davis
Updated on February 12, 2026
What happens is that you work out a payment schedule with the claimant of the lawsuit, or the claimant can wait for you to have enough assets to pay him/her. Or, if your situation is too severe and you’re basically penniless, you will be considered judgment proof or incapable of fulfilling the court’s judgment.
What happens if a child wins a lawsuit?
Children often receive a financial windfall after winning or settling a lawsuit that involves them or their parents. Money gets to minors through a structured settlement that preserves as much of the cash as possible until they turn 18.
Can I sue on behalf of my child?
The Right to Sue To remedy this, California law allows for the appointment of an adult to sue on behalf of the child. In most cases this person is the guardian of the child, but when the guardian was the one that was killed, the law allows another person to be appointed.
Can I access my child’s settlement money?
Who Can Access a Child’s Settlement Money? If a child’s settlement award is less than $10,000, it can be received directly by the child’s parents. Settlements are legal property of the minor, and they are often awarded under a set of particular provisions that determine how the money should be spent.
What is structured settlement payout?
A structured settlement is a stream of payments issued to a claimant after litigation or a court case. The settlement is intended to pay for damages or injuries, providing financial security over time rather than one lump sum of cash.
Can a child sue a parent for emotional distress?
Even though the parent was not harmed, the emotional trauma suffered by the parent can be grounds for a lawsuit. Intentional infliction of emotional distress: This type of claim occurs when the defendant intentionally or recklessly inflicts emotional trauma upon another individual.
Can you sue someone for not taking care of their child?
Parental responsibility laws for when the child causes harm A plaintiff can sue the parents of a child, even if the parent was unaware that their child was going to commit a crime. Though some states limit how much a parent or legal guardian will be responsible to pay, other states have no maximum amount.
Can a parent be sued for their child’s actions?
Parents who do nothing to control their child, notwithstanding clear evidence of anti-social or reckless behavior, will likely pay dearly if injuries result from their child’s actions. What about if you tell your children they aren’t allowed to drink alcohol, partake in drugs, and etc.?
Can a adult sue on behalf of a minor?
An adult who is responsible for a minor may have the option to sue on behalf of the minor in certain situations. If the minor is injured in an accident or other injury, or experiences emotional trauma from some type of abuse, the adult who has legal responsibility for the minor can sue the alleged perpetrator of the situation.
What happens if someone sues you and you don’t have the money?
Maybe you were in a car accident and are being sued. Maybe you purchased a large-ticket item, a car or house, and you have defaulted on the payments. The bottom line is, you’re being sued and you don’t have the money to pay. Here’s what happens if someone sues you and you don’t have the money …
What happens when a minor wins a lawsuit?
Any settlement or judgment money that is won during a lawsuit will typically be put into a trust for the minor to access at a later time in his or her life. Make sure that the minor knows that they won’t be handed a check to spend immediately if they win their case.