Winning a lawsuit in New York is a big accomplishment—but getting a judgment is only half the battle. Many people are surprised to learn that just because you’ve won in court doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get paid. Collecting the money you’re owed can take time, and the law limits how long you have to do it. This time limit is called the statute of limitations for judgment collection.
At Warner & Scheuerman, we help clients across New York understand how long their judgments remain valid and what steps to take to keep their rights active. Knowing the rules can make the difference between collecting what you’re owed and losing that right forever.
What Is a Judgment?
A judgment is a court order that says one person (the debtor) owes money to another (the creditor). It might come from a lawsuit over unpaid bills, breach of contract, property damage, or another legal dispute. Once the court enters a judgment in your favor, it becomes a legal debt that you can enforce—but the court doesn’t collect the money for you. You have to take further steps to make sure you actually get paid.
That’s where understanding New York’s time limits and enforcement options becomes crucial.
The Statute of Limitations on Judgments in New York
In New York, a money judgment is valid for 20 years. That means you have up to two decades to collect what’s owed to you. However, there’s an important detail: while the judgment itself lasts for 20 years, any lien placed on real property (like a house or land) is valid for 10 years and can be renewed for another 10.
Here’s how it works:
- Your judgment remains enforceable for 20 years from the date it was entered.
- If you file a lien on the debtor’s property, it attaches for 10 years.
- Before that 10-year period ends, you can file to renew the lien for another 10 years.
Failing to renew in time could mean losing your claim against that property, even if the judgment itself hasn’t expired.
Why These Deadlines Matter
Let’s say you won a lawsuit in 2010 but didn’t collect the money. If you wait until 2031 to start, your judgment will have already expired under New York law. Once that happens, you can no longer use court tools like wage garnishments, property liens, or bank levies to collect.
In other words, the judgment might still say you’re owed money—but legally, you’ve lost the power to enforce it. That’s why keeping track of deadlines is so important. At Warner & Scheuerman, we help clients manage these time limits, renew their liens, and ensure their rights stay protected.
Renewing a Judgment or Lien
In New York, while you can’t “renew” a judgment itself beyond 20 years, you can extend your lien on real property before it expires. To do this, you must file a new document—known as an extension or renewal of the lien—in the same county where the original lien was filed.
It’s best to take action several months before the 10-year mark so you don’t miss the window. Once the lien lapses, you can’t go back and reinstate it retroactively.
Attorneys at Warner & Scheuerman help clients stay ahead of these deadlines. We track expiration dates and handle the paperwork needed to renew liens and maintain enforceable judgments.
Tools to Enforce a Judgment in New York
If you have a valid judgment in New York, there are several legal tools available to help you collect:
- Wage Garnishment: You can have a portion of the debtor’s paycheck withheld until the debt is paid.
- Bank Restraints: You can freeze and seize funds from the debtor’s bank account.
- Property Liens: A lien can be filed against real estate owned by the debtor.
- Information Subpoenas: You can legally require the debtor—or third parties like banks or employers—to disclose where assets are located.
Each of these methods has its own process, but all must happen within the time allowed by law.
What If the Debtor Moves or Hides Assets?
If the person who owes you money moves out of New York or tries to hide assets, you still have options. A foreign judgment (from another state) can be domesticated in New York, and likewise, your New York judgment can be enforced in another state if the debtor moves there.
However, each state has its own rules about time limits and enforcement. Working with an attorney familiar with multi-state collections ensures your rights are protected no matter where the debtor goes.
Final Thoughts
Winning a judgment in New York is an important first step—but enforcing it is what truly gets you results. The state gives you 20 years to collect, but waiting too long can make the process harder or even impossible. Renewing liens and staying on top of deadlines can protect your rights for the long haul.
Warner & Scheuerman helps New York individuals and businesses enforce judgments, renew liens, and recover the money they’re rightfully owed. If you’ve won a case but haven’t been paid, don’t wait—time is on your side only if you act before it runs out.