My question involves a credit report problem in the State of: TN
There is a judgement on my credit report that does not belong to me. The debt originated in 2002 as a hospital bill of my ex's that was incurred before we were married. I believe the hospital collections attached my name to the bill in an attempt to locate him. The debt was sold to a collections agency, with both of our names on it. The summons for the judgement was served to my ex, who signed it, and I didn't know about it. The judgement was filed in 04. We have been apart since 05 and I have since filed chapter 13, now discharged, and according to him he filed chapter 7. I am applying as joint on my first mortgage, and I am unable to get one unless the judgement is removed or satisfied (because its showing as unpaid).
My understanding is its a big deal if someone erroneously screws up your credit, even if unintentional and you try to get them to correct it. The collections agency is saying theres nothing they can do. However, I could ask the hospital to provide debt validation. People that these sorts of things have happened to have sued for quite a bit, considering the missed opportunities (like for a mortgage), or even things as simple as insurance costs.
How should I proceed?

