Winning a court case and getting a judgment in your favor is an important step—but it doesn’t always mean you’ll get paid right away. In fact, many debtors still refuse to pay even after a judge orders them to. That’s where post-judgment remedies come in.
These are legal tools designed to help you turn a piece of paper (your judgment) into actual money in your bank account. In this post, we’ll explain the most effective remedies—like wage garnishment, property liens, bank levies, and receiverships—in plain language.
Why Post-Judgment Remedies Matter
A judgment is a court’s official decision that someone owes you money. But the court doesn’t automatically collect that money for you. It’s up to you—and your attorney—to take steps to enforce it.
Without post-judgment remedies, debtors could hide assets, move money, or simply ignore the court order. These tools give creditors the power to act and recover what they’re owed.
1. Wage Garnishment
Wage garnishment lets you collect directly from the debtor’s paycheck. Once you have a court order, the debtor’s employer is legally required to withhold part of their wages and send it to you until the debt is paid off.
How it works:
- You apply for a garnishment order from the court.
- The employer receives the order and starts deducting a set percentage from each paycheck.
- The money goes straight to you or through the court, depending on state rules.
Why it’s effective: It ensures regular payments and prevents the debtor from dodging you entirely.
2. Property Liens
A property lien is a legal claim placed on the debtor’s real estate—like their home, land, or commercial property. If they sell or refinance the property, your lien must be paid off first.
How it works:
- You file the lien with the county or state office where the property is located.
- The lien becomes part of the property’s public record.
- When the property changes hands, your debt gets paid from the sale proceeds.
Why it’s effective: Even if you can’t collect right away, a lien can secure your judgment for years, building interest until the debtor sells.
3. Bank Levies
A bank levy allows you to freeze and seize funds directly from the debtor’s bank account. This can be a quick way to collect if the debtor has available cash.
How it works:
- You get a court order for the levy.
- The bank is served and freezes the account immediately.
- The funds are then transferred to you to satisfy the judgment.
Why it’s effective: It can recover a lump sum quickly—before the debtor moves the money elsewhere.
4. Receiverships
A receivership is when the court appoints a neutral third party (a receiver) to take control of the debtor’s business or property. The receiver manages assets, collects income, and uses it to pay creditors.
How it works:
- You request the court to appoint a receiver.
- The receiver takes over day-to-day control of certain assets or operations.
- The receiver collects income or sells assets to pay your judgment.
Why it’s effective: It’s especially useful when the debtor owns a profitable business but refuses to pay.
Choosing the Right Remedy
Not every remedy works in every situation. For example:
- Wage garnishment works well if the debtor is steadily employed.
- Liens are best for debtors who own valuable real estate.
- Bank levies are powerful if the debtor keeps large balances in accounts.
- Receiverships are ideal for ongoing businesses with income streams.
A skilled Judgement Collection Attorney will help you choose the right approach—or combine multiple remedies for maximum effect.
How Attorneys Make the Difference
Post-judgment remedies require precise legal steps. Miss a deadline, file the wrong paperwork, or target the wrong account, and you may lose valuable time—or even your right to collect.
An experienced attorney can:
- Investigate and locate assets the debtor is hiding
- File the correct motions and legal documents
- Work with courts and third parties like banks or employers
- Enforce the judgment quickly before assets disappear
Final Thoughts
Winning a judgment is only the first half of the battle. The second half is making sure that judgment turns into cash in your pocket. Wage garnishment, property liens, bank levies, and receiverships are proven tools to make that happen.
At Warner & Scheuerman, we combine legal skill with practical strategies to help clients recover what they’re owed. If you’ve won your case but still haven’t been paid, it’s time to take the next step.
Need help enforcing your judgment?
Work with a Judgement Collection Attorney who knows how to turn court victories into real-world results. Contact Warner & Scheuerman today.