Winning a lawsuit can feel like a huge relief. After all the stress, time, and energy, you finally have a court judgment in your favor. But many people are surprised to learn that winning the case is only the first step. Just because the court says someone owes you money doesn’t mean the payment shows up right away.
That’s where judgment collection comes in. Collecting what you are owed can be just as challenging as winning the case itself. Let’s walk through what happens after you win, why the process can be complicated, and how working with a judgment collection attorney can make all the difference.
The Court Says You Won—Now What?
When the court rules in your favor, it issues a judgment. This is a legal order saying the other party, often called the debtor, must pay you. But the court doesn’t automatically handle collection. In most cases, it’s up to you to take the next steps to actually recover the money.
Think of it like this: winning the judgment is the key, but you still have to unlock the door to get what’s inside.
Why Collection Can Be Difficult
It would be nice if people simply paid after losing a case. Unfortunately, many debtors avoid payment or claim they can’t afford it. Some might even move money around or change jobs to make collection harder. This can leave you feeling frustrated and powerless, especially if you don’t know where to begin.
Here are some common roadblocks:
- The debtor refuses to pay voluntarily.
- The debtor hides assets or income.
- You don’t know where the debtor works or banks.
- The debtor files for bankruptcy.
These challenges don’t mean you’ll never get your money, but they do mean you’ll likely need legal help to enforce the judgment.
Tools for Collecting a Judgment
The law provides several tools to help creditors collect what they are owed. Here are a few of the most common:
1. Wage Garnishment
If the debtor has a job, the court can order their employer to withhold a portion of their paycheck and send it directly to you until the debt is paid.
2. Bank Levies
A levy allows money to be taken directly from the debtor’s bank account. This can be very effective if you know where the debtor banks.
3. Property Liens
If the debtor owns real estate, you may be able to place a lien on the property. This means when they try to sell or refinance, you get paid first.
4. Asset Seizure
In some cases, valuable assets like vehicles, equipment, or other property can be seized and sold to satisfy the judgment.
These legal tools sound straightforward, but actually using them correctly requires knowledge of state laws, deadlines, and court procedures.
Why an Attorney Is So Important
Trying to collect a judgment on your own can quickly become overwhelming. You may not know what assets the debtor has, how to legally access them, or what steps to take when they try to avoid paying.
A judgment collection attorney can help you by:
- Investigating the debtor’s assets and income sources.
- Filing the right paperwork with the court to enforce the judgment.
- Using legal tools like garnishments, levies, or liens on your behalf.
- Ensuring you don’t miss important deadlines that could limit your rights.
- Protecting you from costly mistakes or wasted time.
Most importantly, an attorney can increase your chances of actually getting paid. Without help, many creditors spend years chasing unpaid judgments with little success. With the right lawyer, you have a much better shot at recovering what’s legally yours.
How Long Do You Have to Collect?
Every state has its own rules about how long a judgment lasts. In some places, it might be 10 years or more, and judgments can sometimes be renewed. But waiting too long to act makes collection harder, especially if the debtor moves assets or leaves the state.
The sooner you start, the better your chances of success.
Final Thoughts
Winning a lawsuit is an important victory, but it’s only half the battle. Collecting your judgment can be complicated, stressful, and time-consuming. The good news is you don’t have to face it alone.
An experienced judgment collection attorney can guide you through the process, use the right legal tools, and fight to make sure you actually get paid. If you’ve won a case but haven’t seen a dime, now is the time to take action.
Don’t let your hard-earned victory go to waste—make sure it truly counts.