Business Law

You Won. Now Collect: Enforcing a Money Judgment in California

By Ingrid Rainey · February 24, 2026 · 8 min read

Winning the case is the halfway point. California gives judgment creditors a substantial toolkit, but nothing in it operates automatically — every step requires a filing, and the order in which you take them determines how much you recover. Judgments also accrue interest at ten percent simple per year, which means a disciplined collection effort compounds in your favor while a passive one expires.

Key takeaways

Judgment debtor examination — compel the debtor, or a third party who holds their assets, to appear and answer questions under oath.
Record an abstract of judgment in every county where the debtor may own real property; it attaches to current and after-acquired real estate and is often what ultimately gets paid at a refinance or sale.
Bank levy — a writ of execution plus sheriff's levy on identified accounts.
Expect exemption claims, homestead protections, and occasionally a fraudulent transfer to a relative or a newly formed entity.

Step one: find the assets

Judgment debtor examination — compel the debtor, or a third party who holds their assets, to appear and answer questions under oath.
Written post-judgment discovery — interrogatories and document demands aimed at accounts, receivables, and transfers.
Public records — real property, UCC filings, fictitious business names, and Secretary of State entity records.
Prior litigation and loan applications, which frequently disclose assets the debtor later forgets.

Step two: create liens before you levy

Record an abstract of judgment in every county where the debtor may own real property; it attaches to current and after-acquired real estate and is often what ultimately gets paid at a refinance or sale. File a notice of judgment lien with the Secretary of State to reach a business debtor's equipment, inventory, receivables, and other personal property.

Liens are inexpensive, quiet, and durable. They also establish priority — which matters most when other creditors arrive later.

Step three: levy and garnish

Bank levy — a writ of execution plus sheriff's levy on identified accounts.
Wage garnishment — up to the statutory ceiling, subject to the debtor's claim of exemption.
Till tap or keeper levy — the sheriff collects from a retail business's register or remains on site for a period.
Receivables levy — served on the debtor's own customers, which frequently produces payment quickly.
Assignment order — reaching payment streams such as commissions, royalties, or distributions.
Charging order — reaching a debtor's membership interest in an LLC.

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Obstacles and how they are handled

Expect exemption claims, homestead protections, and occasionally a fraudulent transfer to a relative or a newly formed entity. The Uniform Voidable Transactions Act allows a creditor to unwind transfers made to hinder collection, and alter ego or successor liability theories can reach a shell that took over the business. A bankruptcy filing stays collection immediately; the response is a claim in the bankruptcy and, where warranted, a nondischargeability action.

Do not let the judgment lapse

A California money judgment is enforceable for ten years and must be renewed before that date to remain collectible; the renewal captures accrued interest as well. Judgment liens on real property have their own ten-year life from recording. Missing a renewal deadline can extinguish an otherwise collectible asset, which is the single most avoidable loss in this area.

Frequently asked questions

What interest does a California judgment earn?

Ten percent simple interest per year on the unpaid principal for most non-consumer judgments, accruing from entry.

Can I collect on a judgment from another state?

Yes. A sister-state judgment can be domesticated in California and then enforced with the same tools as a California judgment.

How long does collection usually take?

It depends entirely on asset visibility. A debtor with a known bank account and real property can be reached in weeks; a debtor operating through cash and third parties can take a year or more of examinations and liens.

Is it worth pursuing a debtor who claims to have nothing?

Often yes. Recording liens is inexpensive, the judgment accrues interest, and debtors who say they have nothing frequently need financing, a property sale, or a license renewal later.

This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Outcomes depend on the facts of each matter.

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