A small claims judgment is a court order saying the defendant owes you money. It is not a check. The court will not collect it for you, which surprises most first-time winners. Collection is your job, and you have real tools for it: wage garnishment, bank levies, property liens, and the debtor's exam. Used in the right order, they collect the large majority of judgments.
To collect a small claims judgment: send a written demand first, since many debtors pay voluntarily. If they do not, use wage garnishment (a court order taking part of each paycheck), a bank levy (seizing funds from accounts), a property lien (a claim against real estate paid on sale), or a debtor's exam (a court-ordered disclosure of assets). Judgments last 10 to 20 years depending on the state and can often be renewed. Exempt income like Social Security generally cannot be taken.
Start here: the demand letter
Before any legal tool, send a written demand. A short letter stating the judgment amount, the case number, a payment deadline of 10 to 14 days, and the collection steps you will take if payment does not arrive. Send it certified mail so you have proof of delivery.
This works more often than people expect. Many defendants pay once the judgment is real, especially when the letter shows you know the next steps. It also creates a paper trail showing you acted reasonably, which judges notice if the case returns to court. Cost: a stamp and an envelope.
Tool 1: wage garnishment
Wage garnishment is a court order directing the debtor's employer to send part of each paycheck to you until the judgment is paid. You apply to the court, the court issues the order, and the employer complies. Federal law caps most garnishments at 25 percent of disposable earnings, and many states set lower caps or add exemptions, so check your state's rule.
Garnishment works best against debtors with steady jobs. It works poorly against the self-employed, gig workers, and anyone paid in cash, because there is no employer to serve the order on. There is usually a small court fee to issue the order, often under $50, which gets added to the amount owed.
Tool 2: bank levy
A bank levy, sometimes called a writ of execution against accounts, orders the debtor's bank to turn over funds up to the judgment amount. You need to know where the debtor banks, which is where the debtor's exam below earns its keep. The levy typically captures the balance on the day it is served, so timing matters: it is a snapshot, not a continuous drain.
Exempt funds complicate levies. Social Security, veterans benefits, and similar protected income generally cannot be seized even when sitting in a bank account, though commingling with other money can create disputes. Some states require the bank to protect a minimum balance automatically. Ask the clerk how your state handles exemptions before you pay the levy fee.
Tool 3: property lien
A judgment lien attaches to the debtor's real estate in the county where it is recorded. You record the judgment with the county recorder, and the lien sits on the property until it is sold or refinanced, at which point you get paid from the proceeds. Liens are slow but patient: they wait for a transaction you might never be able to force.
Liens make the most sense for larger judgments against debtors who own property but claim they cannot pay now. Recording fees are modest, usually tens of dollars. In some states the lien also attaches to personal property, though enforcing against cars and equipment involves the sheriff and additional fees.
Tool 4: the debtor's exam
The debtor's exam, called a judgment debtor examination or information subpoena in some states, is a court order requiring the debtor to disclose their assets under oath: employers, bank accounts, property, vehicles, and income. If the debtor ignores the order, the court can hold them in contempt.
This is the intelligence tool that makes the other tools work. Do not guess where someone banks or works. Get the order, get the answers, then pick the collection method the answers support. Many courts have a simple form for requesting the exam, and the filing fee is small.
What you cannot take
Exemption laws protect a baseline of survival income and property in every state. Social Security income, veterans benefits, unemployment compensation, and often workers compensation are generally exempt from garnishment and levy. Many states protect a minimum amount of home equity, a vehicle up to a value cap, and basic household goods.
Exemptions vary widely by state, and debtors must usually claim them, they are not always automatic. The practical point: before spending money on a levy or garnishment, make sure the target income or asset is actually reachable under your state's exemptions. The clerk's office often has an exemption list.
How long you have
Judgments do not last forever, but they last a long time: typically 10 to 20 years depending on the state, and many states allow renewal for another full term. Interest usually accrues on the unpaid balance in the meantime, at a rate set by state law. A $5,000 judgment at 5 percent interest grows by $250 a year while you wait.
The long lifespan changes the strategy. A debtor who is uncollectible today, no job, no assets, may be collectible in three years. Calendar the expiration date, renew before it lapses, and re-check periodically. Patience is a legitimate collection strategy when the judgment keeps growing.
Collection costs
Each tool carries a fee: filing fees for the writ or order, service fees, recording fees for liens. These are usually modest, tens of dollars each, and courts generally add collection costs to the judgment amount, so the debtor ultimately owes them. Keep receipts for everything. If the economics do not work, a $200 judgment against an unreachable debtor, walking away is also a rational choice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I collect a small claims judgment?
Start with a written demand letter. If the debtor does not pay, use wage garnishment, a bank levy, a property lien, or a debtor's exam to locate assets. Each requires a court order or filing, with modest fees that are usually added to the judgment.
What is wage garnishment for a small claims judgment?
A court order directing the debtor's employer to send part of each paycheck to you until the judgment is paid. Federal law caps most garnishments at 25 percent of disposable earnings; many states set lower caps.
Can I put a lien on someone's house for a small claims judgment?
Yes. Recording the judgment with the county recorder creates a lien on the debtor's real estate in that county. It is paid from the proceeds when the property is sold or refinanced.
How long does a small claims judgment last?
Typically 10 to 20 years depending on the state, and many states allow renewal for another full term. Interest usually accrues on the unpaid balance at a state-set rate.
What income is exempt from judgment collection?
Social Security, veterans benefits, unemployment compensation, and often workers compensation are generally exempt. States also protect minimum home equity, a vehicle up to a value cap, and basic household goods. Exemption rules vary by state.
Make sure the judgment is worth pursuing first. Confirm your claim fit the limit and your filing was in the right court with the free lookup.
Related small claims guides
How to File in Small Claims Court: How to file in small claims court: the six-step walkthrough.
Small Claims Court Limit: What the Cap Covers: Small claims court limit: what counts toward the cap in your state.
What Is Small Claims Court?: What is small claims court? A plain-English primer.
How Long Does Small Claims Court Take?: How long does small claims court take? A realistic timeline.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Court limits, fees, and procedures change when legislatures act. Verify the current rules with the clerk of the court where you plan to file.