You Won Your Lawsuit. Now Make Them Pay.

California judgment enforcement guides. Bank levies, wage garnishment, debtor examinations, and asset seizure. Turn a paper judgment into real money.

60%

Judgments go uncollected

10%

Annual interest rate

20 yrs

Judgment lifespan

The Judgment Is Just the Beginning

Most people think winning in court means getting paid. It doesn't. A judgment is just a piece of paper that says someone owes you money. The court won't collect it for you. The debtor certainly won't volunteer to pay.

California has powerful enforcement tools: freeze bank accounts, garnish wages, seize property, and drag debtors into court to answer questions under oath. But the process is technical, deadline-driven, and easy to mess up.

California Code of Civil Procedure §§ 680-724

Enforcement Methods (For Creditors)

Writs of Execution Live

The primary enforcement tool. Direct the sheriff to seize bank accounts, wages, or property.

Bank Levy Wage Garnishment Real Property Personal Property

5 guides live CCP §§ 699-700

Abstracts & Judgment Liens Live

Record your judgment as a lien on their real estate. Block sales and refinancing for 10 years.

Judgment Liens Sister State Federal Judgment Lien Priority

5 guides live CCP §§ 674, 697

Debtor Examination & Discovery Live

Force debtors to appear in court and answer questions about their assets under oath.

Debtor Exam Third-Party Interrogatories Asset Search Subpoenas

5 guides live CCP § 708.110

Post-Judgment Motions & Contempt Live

Contempt sanctions, bench warrants, assignment orders, and charging orders against LLCs.

Motion to Compel Contempt Assignment Order Turnover Order Charging Order

5 guides CCP §§ 708.510, 1209

Satisfaction & Renewal Live

10% annual interest, judgment renewal, satisfaction filing, and cost recovery.

Satisfaction Filing Force Clearance Judgment Renewal Interest Calculation Costs Recovery

5 guides live CCP §§ 683, 685, 724

Special Enforcement (Complex Cases) Live

Fraudulent transfers, alter ego, successor liability, out-of-state assets, deceased debtors.

Fraudulent Transfer Alter Ego Successor Liability Out-of-State Deceased Debtor

5 guides live CC § 3439, Probate Code

Exemptions & Debtor Defense

Claims of Exemption Live

Protect essential assets: homestead up to $600K, 75% wage protection, retirement accounts.

Claim of Exemption Homestead Retirement Wage Exemption Hardship

5 guides live CCP §§ 703-704

Responding to Enforcement Planned

Guides for judgment debtors: responding to wage garnishment, bank levies, debtor exams.

Respond: Wage Garnishment Respond: Bank Levy Respond: Debtor Exam Debtor Rights

4 guides planned Defense guides

Interactive Tools

Calculators and analyzers to plan your enforcement strategy.

Judgment Interest Calculator

Calculate total owed with 10% annual interest.

Exemption Analyzer

Determine which assets are protected from levy.

Deadline Tracker

Key dates: renewal window, lien expiry, SOL.

Enforcement Strategy

Get recommended methods based on known assets.

For Judgment Creditors

You won. Now collect. Aggressive enforcement tactics:

Bank levy to freeze and seize accounts
Wage garnishment (up to 25% of pay)
Debtor examination under oath
Property liens blocking sale/refinance
Contempt motions for non-compliance
Assignment orders for income streams

For Judgment Debtors

Know your rights. California protects essential assets:

Homestead: $300K-$600K equity protected
Wages: 75% of earnings exempt
Retirement: 401k, IRA, pension 100% exempt
Hardship claims for essential needs
10-day deadline to claim exemptions
Respond guides for each enforcement type

$240 /hour

California Judgment Enforcement Attorney

I handle debtor examinations, bank levies, wage garnishment, contempt motions, and exemption claims throughout California. Technical, deadline-driven work done right.

owner@terms.law Schedule a Call

Related Practice Areas

Demand Letters Business Disputes Landlord-Tenant Consumer Rights