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* How old are the debts?
* Have you moved to a different state since defaulting? (very important, because that alone can change, and often extend, the status of limitations)
Unsecured debts outside of the statue of limitations, for which no judgment has been entered prior, (4 to 6 years is typical) can typically be ignored.
However, debt collectors may still keep trying even for very old debts upwards of a decade or more old - it's important to know your rights and tread carefully when dealing with debt collectors - often best to completely ignore them, since they have numerous tricks up their sleeves ...
ie. encouraging the debtor to sign something and/or enter into repayment plan - problem is that making a payment of even $1 may be enough to reset the statue of limitations for debt that would otherwise be legally uncollectible.
As for the judgments you have ...
Firstly, are they truly judgments? For the ones in doubt, check court house records to verify they're legit.
Secondly, were any of the lawsuits filed after the statue of limitations ran out? If so, seek to get those judgments tossed out, and is often relatively easy to do.
Thirdly, for judgments in which you believe the debt collector can't verify the debt is really yours, you may be able to challenge it, but that's likely going to take an attorney and far from a sure thing; demanding verification is something one really should do prior to judgment during the lawsuit phase.
As for assets - funds held in retirement plans often are beyond the reach of creditors / exempt in bankruptcy, such as various types of annuities.
With all that said, if the judgments you have are relatively small, you would likely do best to pay them off; negotiate with the debt collector for a discount. Be sure to get documentation of the debt being settled - hire an attorney / have a knowledgeable friend to help guide you through the process to ensure the judgments are cleared.
Ron
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