Winning a lawsuit and obtaining a court judgment is only the first step in recovering what you’re owed. Once you’ve been awarded a judgment, the burden shifts to you — the judgment creditor — to collect. Unfortunately, many judgment debtors do not pay voluntarily, even when legally obligated to do so.
That’s where judgment enforcement comes in. The law provides several powerful tools that creditors can use to force payment from a non-compliant debtor. In this post, we’ll explore the top methods available to enforce a judgment and how an experienced judgment collection attorney can help make those tools work effectively.
1. Wage Garnishment
One of the most common and effective enforcement tools is wage garnishment. If the debtor is employed, you can request that the court order their employer to withhold a portion of their paycheck and redirect it to you until the judgment is satisfied.
Key Points:
- Most states allow up to 25% of disposable income to be garnished.
- Some income, such as Social Security or disability benefits, is exempt.
- You’ll need the court to approve and serve the garnishment order on the employer.
Wage garnishment can be a long-term collection strategy, especially if the judgment is large or the debtor earns a modest income.
2. Bank Levies
A bank levy allows you to freeze and seize funds directly from the debtor’s bank account. Once the levy is served, the account is frozen, and the bank may be required to transfer available funds to satisfy the judgment.
How It Works:
- You must first locate the debtor’s bank accounts.
- A court must issue the levy order.
- Some funds (like child support or government benefits) may be exempt.
- Timing matters — if funds are moved before the levy hits, you may come up empty.
Working with an attorney or investigator can help you uncover where the debtor banks and when best to strike.
3. Judgment Liens
A judgment lien is a legal claim against the debtor’s property — typically real estate — that prevents them from selling, refinancing, or transferring the asset without paying you first.
Advantages:
- Easy to file with the county recorder or clerk.
- Can apply to homes, commercial property, or land.
- Stays attached until the judgment is paid or expires (often 10–20 years).
- Can be renewed if the judgment is still unpaid.
Even if the debtor isn’t selling the property right away, a lien puts you in line for payment if they ever do.
4. Property Seizure and Sheriff’s Sale
In some cases, you may be able to seize and sell the debtor’s personal or business property to collect what’s owed. This is typically done through a writ of execution issued by the court and carried out by the sheriff’s office.
Property That May Be Seized:
- Vehicles
- Equipment
- Jewelry or valuables
- Business inventory
- Art, collectibles, or electronics
Not all property can be taken — most states have exemption laws to protect basic household items or tools of trade. But for high-value assets, this method can yield substantial recovery.
5. Post-Judgment Discovery
Sometimes the biggest obstacle to collection is not knowing what assets the debtor has or where they’re located. That’s where post-judgment discovery comes in.
You can request the court to require the debtor to:
- Complete financial disclosures under oath
- Appear at a debtor’s examination to answer questions
- Provide documents like tax returns, pay stubs, and bank statements
If the debtor refuses to comply, the court can impose sanctions — even jail time in extreme cases.
This discovery process is crucial to uncover hidden or transferred assets and is often the first step in strategic enforcement.
6. Contempt of Court
If the debtor ignores court orders, such as failing to appear for an examination or refusing to provide required information, you can ask the court to hold them in contempt. This can result in:
- Fines
- Additional penalties
- Arrest warrants in severe cases
While not a direct enforcement method, contempt actions pressure debtors to take the situation seriously — and may lead to payment or cooperation.
7. Assignment Orders and Turnover Orders
If the debtor receives money from sources like rent, royalties, commissions, or business income, you can request an assignment order to redirect those payments to you.
A turnover order can compel the debtor to hand over specific assets, such as a vehicle title, stock certificates, or a lump sum from a bank account.
These court orders are particularly useful when a debtor is self-employed or earns irregular income.
Final Thoughts
A court judgment doesn’t enforce itself. Fortunately, as a judgment creditor, you have powerful legal tools at your disposal — but using them effectively requires legal knowledge, persistence, and timing.
If you’re struggling to collect a judgment or unsure which enforcement method is best for your situation, consult with a judgment collection attorney. They can help you locate the debtor’s assets, navigate legal procedures, and take aggressive steps to recover what you’re owed.
Don’t let an unpaid judgment sit on the shelf. With the right strategy, you can turn that piece of paper into real financial recovery. We recommend Judgement Collection Attorney.
