A Money Judgment is an order from a court that a person pay a creditor a specific amount of money which the court awarded to the creditor/plaintiff as damages, interest, and reimbursement of costs incurred. Money judgments are enforceable for a period of ten years and are renewable for an additional ten years.

An Abstract of Judgment is a written summary of a Money Judgment. The Abstract states how much money was awarded to the creditor, the interest rate to be paid on the judgment amount, and any court costs that were awarded.

Before it can be recorded, an Abstract of Judgment must be certified by the Clerk of the Court where the judgment was entered. The creditor may then record the Abstract of the Money Judgment with the County Recorder, in as many counties as desired.

A recorded Abstract of Judgment becomes a lien against all of the debtor's real property in the counties where the Abstract is recorded. Judgment liens affect property already owned as well as any later acquired property owned by the debtor/defendant. If the defendant does not pay the judgment, the creditor/plaintiff can force a Sheriffs Sale of any real property encumbered by the lien, subject to any secured loans, tax liens and/or other judgments that may have priority over the creditor's lien.

A Money Judgment can be used by a creditor to garnish the debtor's wages and levy against his or her bank accounts and other non-exempt personal property.

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Questions for Debtor's Examination

Documents Requested in a Subpoena