LA County’s Courts Pause Past-Due Debt Collections In Response To Wildfires

Topline:

L.A. County’s courts are temporarily pausing collections for some past-due debts because of the devastating wildfires.

Why it matters: Court officials said in a statement that they recognize the effects the fires have had on countless residents.

“Temporarily suspending active collection efforts on past-due court debt is one small way the court can provide meaningful, timely relief for members of our community,” Presiding Judge Sergio Tapia II said in a statement.

Why now: The pause is retroactive to Jan. 9 — which is two days after the Eaton and Palisades fires sparked — and will last through March 8.

What it means: If you owe money and are past-due for juror sanctions or traffic, family law, criminal, dependency and civil matters, you don’t have to do anything about it at this point.

What’s next: Collections will start back up once the pause is lifted on March 9.

Read on … for resources for wildfire victims.