Assuming that there is a judgment in place against you for money owed, the judgment became effective upon its entry. Meaning, the day the judgment was entered against you, the judgment had legal effect.If you want to try and get this judgment paid off, I suggest that you contact the judgment creditor, or its attorney to try and work out a written agreement for a monthly installment program that you can afford. The last thing you want to deal with is a situation where you have to worry about your bank accounts being levied upon or your pay check being garnished.