Once you have won a small claims case, the court will enter a judgment in your favor. This means that the defendant is legally obligated to pay you the amount of money that you won. However, the defendant may not always voluntarily pay the judgment. If this is the case, you will need to take steps to collect your judgment.
Here are some of the ways that you can collect a judgment from a small claims case in the US:
Wage garnishment: Wage garnishment is a process in which the court orders the defendant’s employer to withhold a certain amount of money from the defendant’s paycheck and send it to you.
Bank account levy: A bank account levy is a process in which the court orders the defendant’s bank to freeze the defendant’s account and send the money in the account to you.
Property lien: A property lien is a legal claim against the defendant’s property. If the defendant does not pay the judgment, you can sell the property to satisfy the judgment.
Turnover order: A turnover order is a court order that requires the defendant to turn over specific assets to you. For example, if the defendant owes you money for a car that they sold you, the court may order the defendant to turn over the car to you.
The best way to collect your judgment will vary depending on the defendant’s financial situation and the type of assets that they have. If you are unsure how to collect your judgment, you should consult with an attorney.
Here are some additional tips for collecting a judgment from a small claims case in the US:
- Be persistent. It may take some time and effort to collect your judgment. Don’t give up.
- Keep track of your costs. If you have to pay any costs to collect your judgment, such as court fees or attorney’s fees, you may be able to add these costs to your judgment.
- Be willing to negotiate. In some cases, the defendant may be willing to negotiate a payment plan with you. If you are willing to negotiate, you may be able to collect more money than you would if you went through the court process.
If you have any questions about collecting a judgment from a small claims case in the US, you should consult with an attorney.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Contact us today to discuss your specific situation.