How Do You Get Money From Small Claims Judgment?
“Ordinarily, the court will not get the money for you,” explains Judge William E. Brewer in Winning in Small Claims Court, “but in some courts, they do. Check with the clerk.” Once a money judgment is obtained and the time for appeal has lapsed, the successful party becomes the “judgment creditor,” and the defeated party becomes the “judgment debtor.” When a small claims judgment is entered in the court clerk’s office, the judgment debtor’s real estate, personal and cash property can be pursued by the judgment creditor. Remember, the specific steps for enforcing a money judgment are governed by the state law where the debtor resides. To levy or execute on a judgment is the legal procedure of enforcing a judgment by seizure and sale of the judgment creditor’s property. Enforcement options include wage or bank account garnishment, levying on personal property, and entering a lien or levy on real estate. A writ of execution can be filed in any county or city where the judgment debtor has
