Judgment Collection Agency California: Post-Judgment Enforcement
Judgment Collection Agency California: Winning the Judgment Is Only Half the Battle
The Judgment-to-Cash Gap
Obtaining a court judgment in California is not the same as collecting money. Approximately 80% of civil judgments in the United States go uncollected — not because the debtor lacks assets, but because the creditor lacks the enforcement expertise to convert the judgment into cash. A judgment collection agency specialises in closing this gap.
California's Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) provides powerful enforcement tools, but using them effectively requires knowledge of specific procedures, filing requirements, and timing strategies that general practitioners often lack.
California Enforcement Tools
Bank levy (CCP §700.140). The judgment creditor obtains a writ of execution from the court, then instructs the county sheriff or a registered process server to levy the debtor's bank accounts. The bank freezes funds up to the judgment amount plus costs. This is the fastest path from judgment to cash — if you know where the debtor banks.
Judgment Debtor Examination (CCP §708.110). The court orders the debtor to appear and answer questions about their assets, income, bank accounts, and property under oath. Failure to appear can result in a bench warrant. This examination is the primary tool for identifying enforcement targets when the debtor's assets are unknown.
Real property lien (CCP §697.310). Recording an abstract of judgment with the county recorder creates a lien on all real property owned by the debtor in that county. The lien attaches for 10 years (renewable) and must be satisfied before the property can be sold or refinanced.
Earnings withholding order (CCP §706.010). For individual debtors or sole proprietors, up to 25% of disposable earnings can be redirected to the judgment creditor through the debtor's employer.
Assignment order (CCP §708.510). The court can assign the debtor's future income streams — rents, commissions, royalties, accounts receivable — directly to the judgment creditor.
The 10% Interest Advantage
California judgments accrue post-judgment interest at 10% per annum (California Constitution Article XV, §1). On a $200,000 judgment, that's $20,000 per year — a powerful incentive for debtors to settle rather than delay enforcement.
Choosing a California Judgment Collection Agency
Look for agencies that specialise in post-judgment enforcement — not just pre-judgment collection. They should have experience with bank levies, debtor examinations, and property liens across multiple California counties. Contingency fees for judgment collection typically run 25-40% (higher than pre-judgment collection due to the additional complexity).
A California judgment is a valuable asset. A specialised judgment collection agency converts that asset into cash through systematic enforcement of California's CCP tools.
