Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

Send a check to the attorney.

You can call the collection attorney and even try to negotiate less money if you're willing to make one lump sum payment, since interest and attorney's fees usually are added on to the original amount owed.

By now the amount due includes interest and court costs. It probably includes attorney fees as well. If you want to pay the entire amount, you can send a check to the attorney. Alternatively, you can try to negotiate a lower amount to pay off. Most judgment creditors will negotiate, especially where there is a credible claim that the debtor was not previously aware of the judgment. The creditor is not required to negotiate, but you may want to give it a try.

Good luck.

If you try to negotiate you may just increase the balance. I recommend calling the attorney, tell them you want to pay the judgment and will want a release and satisfaction of judgement in exchange.