Expired judgment

I'm about to begin the process of refinancing a rental condo I bought & renovated in 2006. I just discovered an outstanding but expired judgment from a contractor who did some of the renovation work, filed in 2007. I never got notice/service of the claim and the judgement was entered by default.

(The contractor was terrible, installing the wrong shower tile, refused to admit it for 2 weeks before deciding to tell me and order the right material and replace it, and he damaged my water heater drain line in the same bathroom too.)

With the 6 week delay in completion and damage they never fixed we agreed verbally to forgo the final payment (about $2,200). I also wrote all this to the contractor and sent it certified mail at the time.

Before I start the title search process, what is the best way to get this judgment removed? It's over 3 years old since being filed (2007) and still shows as outstanding.

Is this something I can petition the court for on my own or do I need an attorney? The court clerk told me any attorney would know how to vacate this issue.

This issue occurred in Orleans parish first city court (small claims).

Thanks.