⚖️ How to Collect a Judgment in Maryland: Complete Guide

Everything creditors, attorneys, and judgment holders need to know about enforcing and collecting civil judgments in Maryland.

⚖️ Maryland Judgment Collection Overview

Winning a civil judgment in Maryland is only the first step. The court does not automatically collect the money owed to you — that responsibility falls on the judgment creditor. If the debtor does not voluntarily pay, you must actively pursue enforcement using the legal tools available under Maryland law.

Maryland provides judgment creditors with collection remedies including wage garnishment, property liens, bank account levies, and personal property execution. However, the state also recognizes debtor protections and exemptions that limit what can be seized.

In Maryland, a judgment remains enforceable for 12 (renewable for additional 12) years. During that time, post-judgment interest accrues at 10% per year (simple interest), significantly increasing the total amount owed.

This comprehensive guide covers every aspect of judgment collection in Maryland, from governing statutes to practical strategies for locating debtors and their assets across all 23 counties + Baltimore City jurisdictions.

📜 Key Maryland Statutes and Laws

Maryland judgment collection is governed by several statutes that establish procedures and protections.

🔹 Federal Laws That Also Apply

The Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA), 15 U.S.C. § 1673, caps wage garnishment at the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage. Maryland may provide additional protections beyond this federal floor.

⏱️ Judgment Enforcement Period and Renewal

Maryland grants judgment creditors a 12 (renewable for additional 12)-year enforcement period.

🔹 Renewing a Maryland Judgment

Maryland judgments are enforceable for 12 years and can be renewed for an additional 12-year period. This provides up to 24 years of potential enforcement. With 10% simple interest, a judgment grows substantially over this period.

To learn more, visit our guide on judgment renewal procedures.

💰 Post-Judgment Interest Rates

Under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 11-107, the post-judgment interest rate in Maryland is 10% per year (simple interest).

🔹 How Interest Grows Over Time

Original Judgment	After 5 Years	After 10 Years	After 15 Years	After 20 Years
$5,000	$7,500	$10,000	$12,500	$15,000
$10,000	$15,000	$20,000	$25,000	$30,000
$25,000	$37,500	$50,000	$62,500	$75,000
$50,000	$75,000	$100,000	$125,000	$150,000
$100,000	$150,000	$200,000	$250,000	$300,000

🔧 Collection Methods Available in Maryland

Collection Method	Best For	Key Statute
💼 Wage Garnishment	Employed debtors with steady income	Md. Code, Com. Law § 15-601
🏦 Bank Levy	Debtors with known bank accounts	Md. Code, Com. Law § 15-601
🏠 Real Property Lien	Debtors who own real estate	Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 11-402
🚗 Personal Property Execution	Debtors with vehicles, equipment	Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 11-501
📋 Post-Judgment Discovery	Finding hidden assets	Md. Rule 2-633 (Examination of Judgment Debtor)
🔄 Judgment Domestication	Out-of-state judgments	Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 11-801

💼 Wage Garnishment in Maryland

Wage garnishment is one of the most effective tools available to Maryland judgment creditors. Once in place, the debtor’s employer must withhold a portion of wages each pay period and remit those funds to the creditor.

🔹 How Much Can Be Garnished

Maryland follows the federal CCPA limits for wage garnishment. The maximum is the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the state minimum wage (Maryland uses state minimum wage, which is higher than federal).

“Disposable earnings” means the amount remaining after legally required deductions such as federal and state taxes, Social Security, and Medicare. Voluntary deductions like 401(k) contributions and health insurance premiums are generally not subtracted.

🔹 Filing for Wage Garnishment

🏦 Bank Levies and Account Seizures

A bank levy allows a judgment creditor to seize funds directly from the debtor’s bank accounts — often the fastest way to collect a significant portion of a judgment.

🔹 Process for a Bank Levy in Maryland

Maryland bank levies are conducted through a writ of garnishment served on the bank. The bank must freeze accounts and file an answer with the court. Maryland provides specific protections for certain types of exempt funds (Social Security, veterans’ benefits) deposited in bank accounts.

🔹 Exemptions for Bank Accounts

Certain funds may be exempt under federal and Maryland law:

✅ Social Security benefits (42 U.S.C. § 407)

✅ Veterans’ benefits and SSI

✅ Workers’ compensation benefits

✅ Certain retirement and pension funds

🏠 Property Liens and Real Estate

Recording a judgment lien against the debtor’s real property is a powerful long-term strategy.

🔹 How Judgment Liens Work in Maryland

In Maryland, a judgment automatically becomes a lien on all real property owned by the debtor in the county (or Baltimore City) where the judgment was entered. To extend the lien to property in other jurisdictions, file the judgment with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in each additional county or Baltimore City. Maryland has 23 counties plus Baltimore City (24 jurisdictions total).

🔹 Forced Sale of Real Property

If the debtor owns property with equity above the homestead exemption, the creditor can request execution directing sale at public auction. A real property asset search can provide detailed property information.

🔹 Redemption Rights

Maryland generally does not provide a statutory right of redemption after execution sale. Once property is sold at sheriff’s sale and the sale is ratified by the court, the sale is final. This makes Maryland execution sales highly attractive to bidders.

🚗 Personal Property Execution

Judgment creditors can execute on vehicles, equipment, jewelry, and other tangible assets:

✅ Automobiles, trucks, and recreational vehicles (subject to exemptions)

✅ Equipment, tools, and machinery

✅ Business inventory and receivables

✅ Investments, stocks, and bonds

A vehicle asset search can identify vehicles registered to the debtor.

🛡️ Maryland Debtor Exemptions

Exemption Category	Protection Amount	Statute
🏠 Homestead	No homestead exemption	Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 11-402
👤 Personal Property	$6,000 cash + various categories	Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 11-504
💼 Wages	25% of disposable earnings (or amount exceeding 30x minimum wage)	Federal + state law
🪖 Military Benefits	100% exempt	Federal Law
🏥 Workers’ Comp	100% exempt	Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. § 9-732
👴 Public Pensions	100% exempt	Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 11-504(b)(3)

📋 Post-Judgment Discovery and Debtor Exams

Post-judgment discovery under Md. Rule 2-633 (Examination of Judgment Debtor) compels the debtor to disclose detailed financial information under oath.

🔹 What You Can Discover

✅ Employment details, income, and employer address

✅ All bank accounts, institutions, and balances

✅ Real property in Maryland and other states

✅ Vehicle titles and registrations

✅ Business ownership interests

✅ Recent asset transfers (potential signs of hidden assets)

Learn more: post-judgment discovery guide.

🔍 Locating the Debtor and Their Assets

The biggest obstacle in Maryland judgment collection is often finding the debtor and identifying what they own.

🔹 Why Skip Tracing Matters

Professional skip tracing services locate debtors who have moved or are avoiding collection. Our Maryland skip tracing services cover all 23 counties + Baltimore City jurisdictions.

🔹 Asset Discovery Services

✅ Real property holdings — ✅ Vehicle registrations — ✅ Business interests — ✅ Hidden asset investigations

🌟 What Makes Maryland Unique for Judgment Collection

Maryland has several distinctive and highly creditor-favorable characteristics:

✅ NO homestead exemption — Maryland is one of only a handful of states with absolutely no homestead exemption. The debtor’s entire home equity is available to judgment creditors, making real property the single most productive collection target.

✅ No redemption period — The absence of post-sale redemption makes execution sales final and attractive to buyers, yielding higher prices.

✅ 10% interest rate — High post-judgment interest rapidly increases the judgment value over time.

✅ 12-year enforcement (renewable to 24) — The 12-year period with renewal option provides extensive time for collection.

✅ Automatic judgment liens — Liens arise automatically in the judgment jurisdiction, providing immediate security.

✅ Manageable number of jurisdictions — With only 24 jurisdictions (23 counties + Baltimore City), statewide lien coverage is practical.

✅ Proximity to D.C. and Virginia — Many Maryland debtors work in D.C. or Virginia. Cross-jurisdictional employment may require garnishment in the employment jurisdiction.

✅ Federal government employment — Maryland’s proximity to Washington, D.C. means many debtors are federal employees. Federal wages are subject to garnishment through specific federal procedures.

🔄 Out-of-State Judgment Domestication

If your judgment was obtained in another state and the debtor is now in Maryland, you must domesticate the judgment first.

Maryland has adopted the UEFJA. File a certified copy of the foreign judgment with the clerk of the circuit court in the county (or Baltimore City) where enforcement is sought.

See our guide on how to domesticate a judgment.

🏛️ Small Claims Judgment Enforcement

Judgments from Maryland’s District Court (under $5,000) are enforced using the same methods as any other civil judgment. See our guide on enforcing small claims judgments.

💡 Practical Tips for Maryland Judgment Creditors

🔹 Act Quickly After Judgment

File garnishments and liens within the first 30 days to maximize recovery before the debtor can move assets.

🔹 Use Multiple Methods Simultaneously

Combine wage garnishment, property liens, and bank levies for maximum pressure.

🔹 Investigate Before Executing

Invest in a professional asset search to target the most productive assets first.

🔹 Watch for Fraudulent Transfers

Maryland has adopted the Maryland Uniform Voidable Transactions Act (Md. Code, Com. Law § 15-201 et seq.), providing tools to challenge fraudulent transfers.

🔹 Consider Bankruptcy Risk

Aggressive collection can push debtors into bankruptcy. Sometimes negotiated settlement produces a better outcome.

🏠 Maryland’s No-Homestead-Exemption Advantage

Maryland’s lack of a homestead exemption is perhaps the single most significant advantage for judgment creditors in the state. Unlike virtually every other state, Maryland provides zero protection for the debtor’s home equity.

🔹 What This Means in Practice

✅ Every dollar of equity is exposed — If the debtor owns a home worth $500,000 with a $300,000 mortgage, the entire $200,000 in equity is available to satisfy the judgment.

✅ Forced sale is always an option — There is no threshold below which a creditor cannot force sale. Even a small judgment can support a sheriff’s sale.

✅ Maximum settlement leverage — The threat of losing their home with no protected equity is the most powerful motivator for settlement in any state.

✅ No exemption analysis needed — Unlike states where creditors must calculate whether equity exceeds the homestead, in Maryland the answer is always “yes, the equity is available.”

🏛️ Federal Government Employee Garnishment

Maryland’s proximity to Washington, D.C. means a significant portion of the debtor population consists of federal government employees. Garnishing federal wages requires compliance with specific federal procedures:

✅ Service on the employing agency — The garnishment must be served on the appropriate federal agency’s designated agent, not the local workplace.

✅ Federal garnishment limits — Federal employees are subject to the same CCPA garnishment limits as private-sector workers.

✅ Processing delays — Federal payroll processing can take longer than private employers. Expect 4-6 weeks from service to the first withholding.

✅ Military members — Active-duty military stationed at Maryland bases (Fort Meade, Andrews AFB, Aberdeen Proving Ground) are subject to SCRA protections.

🌐 D.C.-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) Collection

Many Maryland debtors live, work, and bank across the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia metropolitan area. Effective collection often requires multi-jurisdictional coordination:

✅ Employment in D.C. or Virginia — If the debtor works outside Maryland, garnishment may need to be served in the employment jurisdiction

✅ Property in multiple jurisdictions — Debtors may own property in Maryland, Virginia, and/or D.C. — requiring domestication in each jurisdiction

✅ Banks crossing borders — Major banks serve the entire DMV region; garnishment served on a Maryland branch can reach accounts held statewide

💲 Collection Costs and Fees in Maryland

✅ Judgment lien recording: $30 to $50 per jurisdiction

✅ Writ of execution: $25 to $50

✅ Garnishment filing: $25 to $60

✅ Sheriff’s service fees: Vary by county

✅ Debtor examination: Filing and service fees

📅 Typical Maryland Judgment Collection Timeline

🏠 Maximizing Maryland’s No-Homestead Advantage

Maryland’s absence of a homestead exemption creates a uniquely favorable environment for judgment creditors. Here are advanced strategies for leveraging this advantage:

🔹 Immediate Lien Recording

Because every dollar of home equity is exposed in Maryland, recording judgment liens immediately is critical. The lien automatically attaches in the judgment jurisdiction, but you should also record in every Maryland jurisdiction where the debtor might own property. With only 24 jurisdictions, statewide coverage is affordable and fast.

🔹 Forced Sale Economics

Without a homestead exemption or redemption period, Maryland forced sales are among the most effective in the nation. Buyers know the sale is final, so they bid more aggressively. The creditor receives all equity above the mortgage balance and costs. For a debtor with significant home equity, a sheriff’s sale can satisfy even a large judgment in a single action.

🔹 Negotiation Before Sale

The mere recording of a judgment lien on a Maryland home creates immediate pressure. The debtor cannot sell or refinance without satisfying (or negotiating around) the lien. Many debtors negotiate settlements at or near full value rather than face a forced sale of their home with zero exemption protection.

⚖️ Body Attachment Orders in Maryland

Maryland allows body attachment (arrest warrants) for debtors who fail to appear at court-ordered debtor examinations. This is a powerful enforcement tool:

✅ The creditor files a motion for debtor examination (Md. Rule 2-633)

✅ The debtor is ordered to appear in court and answer questions under oath

✅ If the debtor fails to appear after proper service, the court can issue a body attachment order

✅ Law enforcement can arrest the debtor and bring them before the court

✅ The debtor may be held until they comply with the examination order or post a bond

Like Illinois and Maine, this tool is most effective as a threat — many uncooperative debtors become cooperative when facing potential arrest.

🔍 Fraudulent Transfer Investigation in Maryland

Maryland’s lack of homestead exemption gives debtors even stronger incentive to transfer assets. Without any protected equity in their home, debtors may try to move property — including real estate — to family members, trusts, or entities to shelter it from creditors. Common patterns include:

✅ Deeding the family home to a spouse or child (since there’s no homestead protection, the entire value is at risk)

✅ Moving bank account funds to family members’ accounts

✅ Creating trusts and LLCs to hold real property

✅ Transferring vehicles and personal property to relatives

Maryland’s Uniform Voidable Transactions Act provides strong remedies. Given that the debtor’s entire home equity is exposed, early investigation of potential transfers is especially important. Order a hidden asset investigation to identify recent ownership changes that may be challenged.

📋 Limited Debtor Protections in Maryland

While Maryland has no homestead exemption, it does provide some debtor protections:

✅ $6,000 cash exemption — Cash, bank accounts, and cash equivalents up to $6,000 are protected

✅ Household goods — Necessary household furnishings are exempt

✅ Wearing apparel — Clothing is exempt up to specified limits

✅ Professional tools — Tools, instruments, and books necessary for the debtor’s trade

✅ Retirement accounts — Protected under both federal and Maryland law

✅ Public benefits — Social Security, veterans’ benefits, unemployment, workers’ comp

These modest protections leave the vast majority of debtor assets accessible to creditors, reinforcing Maryland’s reputation as one of the most creditor-friendly states in the nation.

🏘️ Maryland Real Property Collection — Advanced Strategies

Given Maryland’s unique no-homestead position, real property collection deserves special attention:

🔹 Monitoring the Debtor’s Property Activity

With your judgment lien in place, monitor the debtor’s property for:

✅ Sale attempts — Any sale requires satisfying your lien at closing, providing a natural collection opportunity

✅ Refinancing — Title searches during refinancing will reveal your lien, requiring payoff or negotiation

✅ Home equity lines of credit — New lending is subordinate to your prior lien

✅ Property transfers — Transfers to family members or entities may be challenged as fraudulent

🔹 Tax Sale Monitoring

If the debtor falls behind on property taxes, the property may be subject to a Maryland tax sale. Tax sales can extinguish judgment liens, so monitor the debtor’s tax payment status and consider paying delinquent taxes on the debtor’s behalf (adding the amount to the judgment) to prevent a tax sale that would eliminate your lien.

🏙️ Baltimore City Collection Considerations

Baltimore City is a separate jurisdiction from the surrounding counties and has its own Circuit Court, sheriff, and recording system. Key considerations:

✅ Separate jurisdiction — Baltimore City is not part of any county; it is its own independent jurisdiction. You must record liens separately in Baltimore City and in surrounding counties (Baltimore County, Anne Arundel, etc.).

✅ Property values — Baltimore City property values vary dramatically by neighborhood, from under $50,000 to well over $500,000 in premium areas. The lack of homestead exemption means all equity is available.

✅ High volume courts — Baltimore City courts handle a high volume of collection cases. Familiarity with local procedures is important for efficiency.

✅ Urban challenges — Service of process and property access can be more challenging in dense urban environments.

🏛️ Federal Employee Garnishment Details

Given the high concentration of federal employees in Maryland, here is detailed guidance on federal wage garnishment:

🔹 Identifying the Correct Agency

Each federal agency has a designated agent for receiving garnishment orders. Common agencies employing Maryland residents include:

✅ Department of Defense (various installations)

✅ National Security Agency (NSA — Fort Meade)

✅ Social Security Administration (Woodlawn)

✅ National Institutes of Health (NIH — Bethesda)

✅ Census Bureau (Suitland)

✅ Internal Revenue Service (various locations)

🔹 Processing Timeline

Federal agencies typically take 4-8 weeks to begin withholding after service, longer than most private employers. Plan accordingly and consider other collection methods to bridge the gap. The Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS) and Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) pensions are also reachable under certain circumstances.

💰 Settlement Strategies in Maryland

Maryland’s extreme creditor advantages — no homestead, no redemption, 10% interest, automatic liens, body attachment — create unparalleled settlement leverage. Effective settlement strategies include:

🔹 Pre-Enforcement Settlement Demand

Before initiating formal enforcement, send the debtor a demand letter outlining: the current judgment amount with accrued interest, the fact that Maryland provides no homestead exemption, the automatic lien on their property, and the potential for forced sale. Many Maryland debtors settle promptly when confronted with the reality of their exposure.

🔹 Lien-Triggered Settlement

Many settlements occur naturally when the debtor attempts to sell or refinance their property. The title search reveals your lien, and the debtor must resolve it to close. This creates a motivated settlement opportunity without any enforcement costs on your part.

🔹 Payment Plan Agreements

For debtors who cannot pay in full, Maryland creditors can structure payment plans with the threat of immediate enforcement as motivation. Include specific default provisions that allow you to proceed with execution if the debtor misses payments.

✅ Judgment Satisfaction in Maryland

Upon full payment, the creditor must file a satisfaction with the Circuit Court and release liens in all jurisdictions. With 24 jurisdictions (23 counties + Baltimore City), maintain records of every jurisdiction where a lien was recorded. Maryland law provides penalties for creditors who fail to timely satisfy paid judgments, including potential liability for actual damages and attorney fees incurred by the debtor due to the unsatisfied lien.

🏘️ Montgomery and Prince George’s County Collection

Montgomery County and Prince George’s County are Maryland’s two most populous jurisdictions and border Washington, D.C., creating unique collection dynamics:

🔹 Montgomery County

One of the wealthiest counties in the nation, Montgomery County has high property values, high-income residents (many federal employees and contractors), and substantial equity available for creditors given no homestead exemption. Major employers include the National Institutes of Health, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and numerous federal agencies and defense contractors. Wage garnishment from these high-income positions can yield rapid judgment satisfaction.

🔹 Prince George’s County

Prince George’s County has a diverse population with a wide range of property values. Many residents are federal government employees or work in D.C. The county’s proximity to Andrews Air Force Base means SCRA compliance is a regular consideration. Property values have been appreciating, creating more equity available to creditors in this no-homestead state.

🔹 Maryland’s Suburban Counties

The suburban counties surrounding Baltimore and D.C. (Howard, Anne Arundel, Harford, Frederick, Carroll) provide a strong mix of employer-based garnishment targets and property with significant equity. These counties’ growing populations and rising property values make them increasingly productive for judgment collection, especially given Maryland’s zero homestead protection.

🔧 Maximum-Impact Enforcement in Maryland

Maryland’s creditor-friendly framework allows for one of the most comprehensive enforcement approaches in the nation. A maximum-impact strategy includes:

✅ Immediate statewide lien recording — Cover all 24 jurisdictions (affordable and fast)

✅ Wage garnishment — Including federal agency service procedures for government employees

✅ Bank garnishment — Repeated levies on all known accounts

✅ Debtor examination — With body attachment threat for non-appearance

✅ Real property forced sale — No homestead exemption, no redemption period

✅ Personal property execution — Modest exemptions leave most assets exposed

✅ Cross-jurisdictional coordination — D.C. and Virginia asset tracking for DMV-area debtors

This comprehensive approach, leveraging Maryland’s exceptional creditor advantages, creates maximum pressure and frequently results in full satisfaction or high-percentage settlements. Maryland is genuinely one of the best states in the nation for judgment creditors.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🔹 How long do I have to collect a judgment in Maryland?

You have 12 (renewable for additional 12) years. Maryland judgments are enforceable for 12 years and can be renewed for an additional 12-year period. This provides up to 24 years of potential enforcement. With 10% simple interest, a judgment grows substantially over this period.

🔹 What is the post-judgment interest rate in Maryland?

10% per year (simple interest), under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 11-107.

🔹 Can I garnish wages in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland follows the federal CCPA limits for wage garnishment. The maximum is the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the state minimum wage (Maryland uses state minimum wage, which is higher than federal).

🔹 What is the homestead exemption?

Maryland is one of the few states that provides no homestead exemption. This means the debtor’s home equity is fully exposed to judgment creditors — there is no protected amount whatsoever. This makes Maryland one of the most creditor-friendly states in the nation for real property collection.

🔹 Can I collect on a judgment from another state?

Yes. Domesticate the judgment in Maryland first.

🔹 What if the debtor has moved?

Maryland skip tracing can locate debtors who have moved.

🔹 How do I find the debtor’s bank accounts?

A professional asset search can identify financial institutions where the debtor holds accounts.

🔹 What if the debtor has no assets?

A “judgment-proof” debtor’s status is rarely permanent. People acquire new jobs, property, and inheritances. With 12 (renewable for additional 12)-year enforcement, patience and periodic asset searches often pay off.

🔹 What happens if the debtor files for bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay halting all collection. Learn more: investigating debtors in bankruptcy.

📞 Get Professional Help

Whether you need to locate a judgment debtor, discover hidden assets, or identify a debtor’s employer, professional services dramatically improve recovery rates.

Services supporting Maryland judgment collection:

✅ Skip Tracing Services — Locate debtors who have moved or are avoiding collection

✅ Asset Search Services — Identify real property, vehicles, businesses, and financial assets

✅ Employer Locate — Find the debtor’s current employer for wage garnishment

✅ Judgment Debtor Location — Specialized searches for disappeared debtors

✅ Judgment Recovery Services — Comprehensive judgment collection support

Last updated . Consult a licensed Maryland attorney for advice specific to your situation.