They swear they have nothing. But public records don't lie. Real estate deeds, vehicle registrations, business filings, court records - the truth is out there if you know where to look.
The debtor examination is powerful, but debtors lie. Interrogatories work, but debtors lie on those too. The key to successful collections is independent verification - finding assets through public records and database searches before you ever ask the debtor anything.
When you walk into a debtor examination already knowing about their beach house in San Diego, their BMW registered in their spouse's name, and their LLC that "owns" their business equipment, they can't hide anything. Confronting a debtor with their own public records is devastating to their credibility and their defenses.
Run asset searches before sending interrogatories or scheduling debtor exams. You'll know what questions to ask, what documents to demand, and what lies to catch. The debtor who claims to own no property is in serious trouble when you produce their grant deed at the examination.
Real estate is often a debtor's most valuable asset and the easiest to find. Every property deed in California is recorded with the county recorder and is public record.
Deeds, mortgages, liens, and transfers are all recorded here. Most counties have online search portals.
Property ownership, assessed values, tax information. Often more current than recorder records.
Commercial databases aggregate records from all 58 California counties in one search.
| County | Online Access | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | LAVOTE Online | Free search, pay for documents |
| San Diego | ARCC Portal | Free grantor/grantee search |
| Orange | RecorderWorks | Account required |
| San Francisco | SF Recorder | Free search |
| Santa Clara | Clerk-Recorder | Limited free search |
Debtors often own property in counties you wouldn't expect - a vacation home in Tahoe (Placer/El Dorado), investment property in the Central Valley, land inherited from family. Commercial statewide searches are worth the cost for judgment amounts over $25,000.
California DMV records show vehicle ownership, but access is restricted. As a judgment creditor, you have legal grounds to request this information.
Under Vehicle Code § 1808.21, judgment creditors can obtain vehicle registration information for the purpose of collecting a judgment. You must submit a written request with proof of your judgment.
Vehicles may be registered in a spouse's name or a family member's name. In California, community property vehicles may still be subject to levy even if titled in the spouse's name. Check registrations for both spouses.
Business ownership is public record. The California Secretary of State maintains records of all corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
Corporations, LLCs, LPs, and registered agents. Search by entity name or officer/member name.
DBAs and fictitious business name filings at county clerk's office show who's behind the business name.
Licensed professionals (contractors, doctors, lawyers) have searchable license records.
If the debtor owns a business, the business may owe them money (distributions, loans, salary). These are assets you can reach. Examine the business as a third party to find out what's owed to your debtor.
Bank accounts are harder to find than real property because there's no central registry. But there are strategies.
Professional skip tracers and asset search companies have access to databases that can identify likely bank accounts. These include:
Obtaining bank records requires legal process (subpoena, third-party exam order) or the account holder's authorization. "Pretexting" - pretending to be someone else to get bank information - is a federal crime. Use legal methods only.
If the debtor transferred assets to avoid paying you, those transfers may be voidable under California's Uniform Voidable Transactions Act (Civil Code §§ 3439-3439.14).
Under Civil Code § 3439.09, you generally have 4 years to challenge a fraudulent transfer. For transfers made with intent to defraud, the clock starts when you discovered or should have discovered the transfer. Don't wait - investigate transfers immediately.
Basic asset searches range from $50-200 and cover real property, vehicles, and business filings. Comprehensive searches including bank account locates and deep background investigations can run $500-2,000+. For judgments over $25,000, professional searches usually pay for themselves by finding assets you wouldn't have discovered otherwise.
Yes. County recorder sites, assessor databases, Secretary of State business filings, and court records are all searchable online for free or minimal fees. The challenge is knowing where to look and how to interpret what you find. For smaller judgments, DIY searching makes sense. For larger amounts, professional help is worth it.
If the debtor transferred assets to avoid paying you, you may be able to void those transfers under fraudulent transfer law. If assets are held by a spouse, they may be community property subject to your judgment. If assets are held by a business the debtor controls, you may be able to charge their membership/stock interest. Each situation requires analysis.
For high-value judgments or complex asset structures, a licensed PI can be worth the cost. PIs can conduct surveillance, locate hidden addresses, interview witnesses, and access databases that regular creditors can't. For routine collections, the investigative tools described on this page are usually sufficient.
Cryptocurrency is property subject to your judgment, but it's hard to find without the debtor's cooperation. Ask about crypto holdings in interrogatories and at debtor exams. Subpoena major exchanges (Coinbase, etc.) if you have reason to believe the debtor trades there. Blockchain analysis can trace transactions if you know a wallet address.
Each state has its own public record systems. Commercial asset search databases aggregate nationwide data. For real property, check counties where the debtor has connections (hometown, vacation areas, investment markets). You may need to domesticate your judgment in other states to actually levy assets there.
I conduct thorough asset investigations before debtor examinations. Know exactly what they have before you walk into court. No more surprises.