Collecting a court judgment

General information

If you win a Washington court judgment ordering the other party to pay you money, the court does not collect money for you. A money judgment in your favor does not necessarily mean that the money will be paid, but you can take steps to collect that money.

Depending on the type of case, judgments are usually effective for 10 years from the date of entry, and can be renewed for an additional 10 years. Specific information is found in RCW Section 4.56.210 and RCW Section 6.17.020.

You must follow the laws and rules about when collection efforts can begin:

RCW Section 12.40.105 specifies when collection efforts can begin for small claims judgments
Rules for Appeal of Decisions of Courts of Limited Jurisdiction RALJ 4.2 discusses district court judgments
Superior Court Civil Rule CR 62 discusses superior court judgments

Collecting a court judgment

There are several ways to attempt to collect a judgment. This presentation by Beresford Booth PLLC provides an overview of several methods:

This page covers three possible ways to collect that are easier than other possible methods. Two of the most common methods for collecting a judgment are using the garnishment process to take money from a paycheck or a bank account, or hiring a collection agency to seek payment. A judgment can also be a lien on real estate.

Garnishment

This legal process allows you (the Plaintiff) to take money from paychecks before an employer issues them, or take money from a bank (or another entity holding money that belongs to the Defendant). State laws on garnishment after a court judgment are in RCW Chapter 6.27.

If you do a garnishment, you will need to know where the person works or banks. If you do not know this information, the supplemental proceedings process can help you find out.

Garnishment self-help kit with forms and instructions from the law library.
The kit includes forms and instructions to process a garnishment against an employer or a bank after a money judgment has been awarded. There are some limitations in the statutes on what can be garnished and Washington LawHelp has some information about limitations on garnishment.

Garnishment forms (without instructions) from the State Court website.

Collection agencies

Collection agencies are often used to collect debts. A collection agency will take steps to find assets to collect. They have experience in debt collection and should have training to follow the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

These agencies typically take a portion of any money recovered. This article about knowing when to hire a collection agency is written for small businesses, but may also have helpful information for individuals.

Judgment liens

A Superior Court judgment can operate as a lien on non-homestead real estate owned by the debtor. This is a long-term approach to collecting, as a valid lien will be paid when the house is sold if there are enough proceeds to do so.

Judgment Liens on Property in Washington from Nolo
Collect Your Court Judgment with a Real Estate Lien from Nolo

State laws about judgment liens include RCW Sections 4.56.190 and 4.56.200.

Recording a certified copy of the judgment allows for a lien against homestead property in that county in excess of the value of the homestead exemption. See RCW Section 6.13.090. The Recording Guide from the Clark County Auditor's Office provides additional information about recording documents.

Ensuring lawful collection of a court judgment

A valid court judgment must be properly issued to be enforced. In rare circumstances, you can ask the court for relief from that judgment if certain court rules weren't followed. Washington LawHelp has forms and instructions for a Motion to Vacate based on Washington Superior Court Civil Rule CR 60.

If you have a court judgment entered against you, certain laws protect your income and property if the other party pursues garnishment or hires a collection agency.

Garnishment

This is an overview of the limits on garnishment amounts and some information on defending against a garnishment from Nolo:

Washington Wage Garnishment Laws

If you have been notified that a garnishment has been issued against your bank or your employer, Washington LawHelp has information about garnishment:

Avoid or stop garnishment

The Washington State Court has information about garnishment and some forms that can be used to claim exemptions:

Notice of garnishment and of your rights
Exemption claim forms for certain assets

Collection agencies

If you have been contacted by a collection agency that is attempting to collect a debt against you:

Dealing with debt collectors from Washington LawHelp
Debt Collection FAQs from the Federal Trade Commission
Advice about dealing with debt collectors from the National Consumer Law Center
Requirements and rules for collection agencies from Nolo
Rules collection agencies must follow from the Washington State Attorney General's Office

Supplemental proceedings

Supplemental proceedings (also called a judgment debtor examination) are a way to order a person to come to court to provide documents and information and answer questions about their income and assets. This process can be used to learn about the debtor's assets to help you collect your court judgment. Failure to comply with this court order can result in a warrant for the debtor's arrest.

RCW Chapter 6.32 has information about this procedure. Forms and informational materials to proceed under these statutes are available in the law library.
How To Investigate A Judgment Debtor’s Assets from Beresford Booth
Supplemental Proceedings from the debtor's perspective from Washington LawHelp

Satisfaction of judgment

When court judgments are paid, the person who collected the money should sign a Satisfaction of Judgment to indicate that the judgment was paid and file it with the court or give it to the person who owed the money for filing.