⚖️ How to Collect a Judgment: State-by-State Guides for
Complete judgment collection guides for all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico — covering enforcement periods, interest rates, exemptions, and collection procedures.
📋 Why State-Specific Guides Matter
Judgment collection laws vary dramatically from state to state. Enforcement periods range from 5 to 20+ years. Post-judgment interest rates span from 0% to 12%. Homestead exemptions range from $5,000 to unlimited. Understanding your debtor’s state laws is essential for successful collection.
📌 Quick Start: Select your debtor’s state below to access detailed collection procedures, exemption limits, garnishment rules, and enforcement strategies specific to that jurisdiction.
🗺️ Select a State
🏝️ U.S. Territories
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📍 Locate a Judgment Debtor📊 Quick State Comparison
Below is a summary comparison of key judgment collection factors across all jurisdictions. Click any state for complete details.
| State | Enforcement Period | Interest Rate | Homestead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 20 years | 7.5% | $16,450 |
| Alaska | 10 years (renewable) | 3.5% | $72,900 |
| Arizona | 10 years (renewable) | 4.25% | $250,000 |
| Arkansas | 10 years (renewable) | 10% | Unlimited (rural) |
| California | 10 years (renewable) | 10% | $300,000-$600,000 |
| Colorado | 20 years | 8% | $250,000 |
| Connecticut | 20 years | 10% | $75,000 |
| Delaware | 10 years (renewable) | 5% + Fed rate | $125,000 |
| Florida | 20 years | 4.5% | Unlimited |
| Georgia | 10 years (renewable) | 7% | $21,500 |
| Hawaii | 10 years (renewable) | 10% | $30,000 |
| Idaho | 11 years (renewable) | 5.375% | $175,000 |
| Illinois | 20 years | 9% | $15,000 |
| Indiana | 20 years | 8% | $22,750 |
| Iowa | 20 years | 5.63% | Unlimited (40 acres) |
| Kansas | 15 years (renewable) | 10% | Unlimited (160 acres) |
| Kentucky | 15 years (renewable) | 6% | $5,000 |
| Louisiana | 10 years (renewable) | Contract or legal | $35,000 |
| Maine | 20 years | 8.18% | $80,000 |
| Maryland | 12 years (renewable) | 10% | $25,150 |
| Massachusetts | 20 years (renewable) | 12% | $500,000 |
| Michigan | 10 years (renewable) | ~5% | $40,475 |
| Minnesota | 10 years (renewable) | ~4% | $450,000 |
| Mississippi | 7 years (renewable) | 8% | $75,000 |
| Missouri | 10 years (renewable) | 9% | $15,000 |
| Montana | 10 years (renewable) | 10% | $350,000 |
| Nebraska | 20 years | 2.0851% | $60,000 |
| Nevada | 6 years (renewable) | Prime + 2% | $605,000 |
| New Hampshire | 20 years | 8% | $120,000 |
| New Jersey | 20 years | Post-judgment rate | None |
| New Mexico | 14 years | 8.75% | $60,000 |
| New York | 20 years | 9% | $179,975-$299,475 |
| North Carolina | 10 years (renewable) | 8% | $35,000 |
| North Dakota | 10 years (renewable) | 6% | $100,000 |
| Ohio | 15 years (renewable) | 4% | $145,425 |
| Oklahoma | 5 years (renewable) | 4% | Unlimited (urban) |
| Oregon | 10 years (renewable) | 9% | $40,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 20 years | 6% | None |
| Rhode Island | 20 years | 12% | $500,000 |
| South Carolina | 10 years (renewable) | 8.75% | $63,250 |
| South Dakota | 20 years | 10% | Unlimited |
| Tennessee | 10 years (renewable) | 7.25% | $5,000 |
| Texas | 10 years (renewable) | 5% | Unlimited |
| Utah | 8 years (renewable) | Fed rate + 2% | $43,300 |
| Vermont | 8 years (renewable) | 12% | $125,000 |
| Virginia | 20 years | 6% | $25,000 |
| Washington | 10 years (renewable) | 12% | $125,000 |
| West Virginia | 20 years | 7% | $35,000 |
| Wisconsin | 20 years | 5% | $75,000 |
| Wyoming | 21 years | 7% | $40,000 |
| Washington D.C. | 12 years (renewable) | 4% | Unlimited |
| Puerto Rico | 5 years (renewable) | 6% | $15,000 |
📚 Judgment Collection Resources
📋 General Guides
Foundational information for judgment creditors.
🔍 Debtor Investigation
Locate debtors and discover hidden assets.
🎯 Understanding Key Collection Factors
⏱️ Enforcement Period
The enforcement period determines how long you have to collect a judgment. Periods range from 5 years (Oklahoma, Puerto Rico) to 21 years (Wyoming). Most states allow renewal before expiration, effectively extending collection rights indefinitely for persistent creditors. States with shorter periods require more urgent collection action.
💰 Post-Judgment Interest
Interest accrues on unpaid judgments at rates set by state law. High-interest states like Massachusetts (12%), Rhode Island (12%), and Washington (12%) see judgments grow significantly over time. Low-interest states like Nebraska (~2%) and Ohio (4%) provide less growth incentive.
🏠 Homestead Exemptions
Homestead exemptions protect a debtor’s primary residence from forced sale. Texas, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, and South Dakota offer unlimited homestead protection. States like New Jersey and Pennsylvania offer no homestead protection at all. Understanding exemptions is critical for targeting collectible assets.
💼 Wage Garnishment
Most states follow federal limits: the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount exceeding 30 times minimum wage. However, some states like Texas, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania prohibit or severely restrict wage garnishment for consumer debts. Other states have additional protections for low-income debtors.
🚀 Start Your Collection Today
With over 20 years of experience, we help creditors locate debtors and discover assets nationwide.
📞 Order Now❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I collect a judgment in another state?
You must “domesticate” (register) the judgment in the new state using the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act (UEFJA). Once domesticated, you can use local collection procedures. See our domestication guide for details.
What if I can’t find the debtor?
Professional skip tracing services can locate debtors who have moved or are avoiding collection. We access professional databases and public records nationwide.
How do I find the debtor’s assets?
An asset search reveals real property, vehicles, business interests, and employment. Post-judgment discovery through the courts provides additional tools.
What if the debtor has no assets?
Circumstances change. Keep your judgment active through proper renewal, and monitor the debtor periodically. Debtors who are “judgment proof” today may have collectible assets tomorrow.
Can I garnish wages in every state?
Most states allow wage garnishment, but Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania have significant restrictions. Check the specific state guide for garnishment rules.
📞 Get Professional Help
Collecting judgments requires locating debtors, discovering assets, understanding state-specific procedures, and persistent enforcement. Our professional services help creditors nationwide:
✅ Skip Tracing — Locate debtors who have moved or are avoiding collection.
✅ Asset Searches — Discover real property, vehicles, employment, and business interests.
✅ Debtor Investigation — Comprehensive investigation of judgment debtors.
✅ Employer Location — Find current employment for wage garnishment.
With over 20 years serving attorneys, creditors, and collection professionals, we provide the research foundation for successful judgment collection.
