Collection of 14 Year Old Debts

[Blueagate]

I have a very old MVA insurance violation fine that the State of Maryland occassionally sends me a collection notice for $4590. The car in question no longer exists and the plates returned to the MVA. Additionally, I was under the impression that this debt was taken care of with the last horrible refinance package we did on our home. Unfortunately, this last refinance stuck us with an adjustable rate mortgage that skyrocketed out of our budgetary limits. We were taken advantage of by a mortgage company. As the ARM skyrocketed to beyond our means, we had to allow our mortgage to be assumed by an investor to avoid foreclosure. We rent the home back from him. We have no real tangible assets that the MVA could assess other than our wages. Another unfortunate incidence is the fact that we had a lot of personal records and household goods destroyed when we had an accident in the moving van. Would anyone know what the statute of limitations is for state governments to collect an old debt? I have contacted the MVA several times over the years to inform them that I just don't have the money to pay it. I have just written back to them asking for a hardship reconsideration. Its bad enough that they take any refunds we get from federal taxes to pay against a tax debt. Again, this came about because the records were destroyed. We sure as hell can't afford to have them garnish my pittance of a salary nor my husbands' unemployment benefits. We have both experienced extended periods of unemployment during which we had no medical insurance. We had to pay for everything out of pocket and we both have chronic medical conditions. My husband sufferes from seizures and I have a back injury that has never gotten corrected. As it is we are drowning in medical bill debt. We can barely make ends meet as it is and the threat of eviction and homelessness is a very real specter to us and wouldn't take much. What kind of options do I have?

[boxtops]

Blueagate, this is a UK site - there may be people here who can advise you but you might be better posting this on a UK site (if that's where you still live?).

[237SJ]

I think you need to find a US website that can answer your questions. This website is UK based and is probably not relevant to you.
Good luck