Posted on
April 19, 2025
Judgment Collection Agency California: Post-Judgment Enforcement
80%Civil judgments uncollected — winning is only half the battle
10% p.a.Post-judgment interest — CA Constitution Art.XV §1
10 yearsReal property lien duration — CCP §697.310
Judgment Collection Agency California: Winning the Judgment Is Only Half the Battle
Bank levyCCP §700.140Sheriff freezes debtor bank accounts — fastest path to cash
Debtor ExamCCP §708.110Full asset disclosure under oath — bench warrant if no-show
10% p.a.Post-judgment interestCA Constitution Art.XV §1 — $20K/year on $200K judgment
25%Wage garnishment capCCP §706.010 earnings withholding limit
25–40%Judgment collection feeHigher than pre-judgment due to additional complexity
Post-judgment enforcement
1
Judgment Debtor Examination (CCP §708.110)
Court orders debtor to appear and answer questions about ALL assets: bank accounts, employer, real property, vehicles, accounts receivable, cash, investments, pending inheritances. Under oath. Failure to appear = bench warrant for arrest. Strategic use: conduct exam before bank levy to identify which banks to levy and optimal timing.
2
Bank levy → cash conversion
Writ of execution → sheriff levies all accounts at the named bank branch and all other branches. Timeline: 1–2 weeks from writ issuance to frozen accounts. Exemptions: Social Security, disability benefits, §704.070 minimum balance ($1,788 protected for general support). If debtor banks at multiple institutions: levy each separately.
3
Real property lien + ongoing enforcement
Record abstract of judgment in each county where debtor owns property → creates 10-year lien on all real property. Property cannot be sold or refinanced without satisfying lien. Earnings Withholding Order (CCP §706.010): 25% ongoing wage interception. Assignment order: intercept payments owed to debtor from third parties.
Approximately 80% of civil judgments go uncollected — not because the debtor has no assets, but because the creditor lacks enforcement expertise. A $200,000 CA judgment accrues $20,000 per year at 10% interest. The compounding incentive favours creditors who actively pursue enforcement.
California post-judgment enforcement tools
ToolBest forSpeed
Bank levy (CCP §700.140)
Fastest cash recoveryWrit of execution → sheriff levies accounts. Fastest if bank is known.
1–2 weeks
Debtor Examination (CCP §708.110)
Asset intelligenceFull asset disclosure under oath. Bench warrant if no-show.
30–60 days
Real property lien (CCP §697.310)
Long-term leverage10-year lien on all county real estate. Must clear on any sale/refi.
Immediate
Earnings Withholding Order (CCP §706.010)
Ongoing recovery25% per pay period. Best for individual debtors with steady employment.
2–4 weeks to start
Assignment order — CCP §708.510
Business debtorsIntercept payments owed to debtor from third parties (accounts receivable).
Court order needed
How does judgment collection work in California?
Post-judgment: Judgment Debtor Examination (CCP §708.110) discloses all assets under oath. Bank levy (CCP §700.140): sheriff freezes accounts — fastest path to cash. Real property lien (CCP §697.310): 10-year lien, blocks sale/refi. Earnings Withholding Order: 25% wages. 10% annual interest (CA Constitution Art.XV). Specialist agencies typically charge 25–40% contingency.
