Ally Enforcement

    8 Things You Need to Know About Your Judgment That the Court Won't Tell You!

 

1. There’s No “Judgment Enforcement Department.”

 

Many people are surprised to learn this — but it’s true. There is no department within the Small Claims or Civil Court system that collects money for you.

 

You went through all the trouble of filing your case, serving the defendant, gathering your evidence, and persuading the judge to rule in your favor. In a perfect world, you could simply hand your judgment to a court collection office or the sheriff and have them do the rest.

 

Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. Courts are already overburdened with the sheer number of cases they handle. Their job is to issue judgments — not collect on them. And the same goes for the civil division of the sheriff’s department.

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2. Court Clerks Can Help with Information — Not Enforcement

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Court clerks are generally helpful and knowledgeable, but they’re not allowed to help you collect your judgment. Doing so would expose them to liability and accusations of practicing law without a license.

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They can tell you what forms to use and explain the general procedures for enforcing your judgment. But they won’t:

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• Fill out forms for you

• Attend a court-ordered examination

• Negotiate with your debtor

• Track down your debtor’s financial assets

• Or pay sheriff’s fees to serve a levy

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Think of clerks like librarians — they can point you to the right information, but they won’t write the paper for you.

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3. Most Law Firms Don’t Handle Small Claims Judgments

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This might come as a surprise, but most law firms won’t take on small claims cases — especially after judgment.
 

Why? Simple math.

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A typical collections attorney charges between $300 and $500 an hour. Enforcing a small claims judgment—often worth only a few hundred or a few thousand dollars spread over three to six months—just doesn’t compare to what a lawyer can earn in far less time. On top of that, 50–60% of all judgments assigned to judgment enforcement specialists are unenforceable for a variety of reasons. The debtor might be bankrupt (and the debt discharged), living on protected income such as disability or Social Security, or have no assets in their name due to fraudulent transfers.

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These aren’t necessarily impossible obstacles for a skilled enforcement specialist, but they can be too costly or time-consuming for a traditional law firm to bother with. So while a few firms might occasionally take these cases, small claims judgments are usually left to independent enforcement professionals.

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4.  80% of All Judgments Are Never Enforced

This statistic is both sobering and motivating. Roughly four out of five judgments are never collected.

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Why?

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Once people discover how difficult enforcement can be — and that no one in the court system will do it for them nor is the cost of hiring an attorney is feasible— they often give up.

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Defendants, on the other hand, learn that small claims judgments rarely affect their credit and that ignoring them usually has no immediate consequences. No sheriff will come knocking on their door to demand payment.

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It’s frustrating — but that’s exactly why the few who do follow through on enforcement stand to benefit the most.

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5. Your Judgment Is Worth More Than the Original Award

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Here’s the good news: your judgment is more valuable than you probably realize.

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A judgment isn’t just a piece of paper — it’s a financial asset. Like a stock, bond, or savings account, it accrues interest every year.

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In California, for instance, judgments earn 10% annual interest. That means your judgment grows in value over time, making it a living, appreciating asset — not just a document gathering dust.

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6. You Have the Right to Assign Your Judgment

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As the legal owner of a judgment, you have the right to assign (transfer) it to someone else who can enforce it for you.

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This can be an individual or a professional judgment enforcement specialist who buys or enforces judgments on contingency. For many creditors, this is the most practical way to turn a “paper win” into actual cash recovery — without navigating the complex legal maze yourself.

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7.)  Being a Judgment Creditor Gives You Legal “Superpowers”

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As the assignee of record, you are empowered by law (a permissible purpose under the Fair Credit Reporting Act) to access your debtor’s financial history through their credit report. You can even garnish wages, levy bank accounts, and use turnover orders to compel them to hand over any valuable assets. Additionally, you have the authority to subpoena banks, lenders, employers, and, in some cases, even family or friends if there is evidence they share financial resources with the debtor.

 

These are the same rights and powers you currently hold as the judgment creditor, but perhaps you don’t have the time or resources to pursue them yourself. With the right assistance, you won’t have to.

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8.) Making Your Judgment Debtor Pay Is the Right Thing To Do

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This isn’t about revenge—it’s about justice. A judgment is a court order (issued by a judge) compelling someone to pay what they owe you. When a debtor ignores that order, they assume they got away with it. Enforcing the judgment ensures they learn the lesson the court intended. You have the right to get paid, and as the original judgment creditor, making your debtor pay is the just and proper course of action.

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Here’s an easy way to think about it:

 

Winning a judgment is like winning a prize in a contest, but the prize is locked in a safe that only the other person can open. Judgment enforcement is getting the key—or finding another legal way to open the safe—so you actually receive your prize. Without enforcement, a “win” on paper doesn’t translate to real payment. It’s the bridge between winning in court and getting paid in real life.

 

To learn more about how to turn your judgment into actual payment, take advantage of a free consultation: Call: 916-765-3085 Email: myofficeguy@gmail.com. Looking forward to speaking with you soon.

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