Judgements Do Not Last Forever

19 Jul

We recently wrote an article about the statue of limitations on debt. We showed how it varied by both state and type of contract. This is not the only time sensitive matter in the collection process though, even once you secure a judgement you only have a set number of years to act on it (although in most states this is a very generous amount of time). This will vary by location and type of judgement, but will vary from 5 to 20 years. Each state also sets its own annual interest for the judgement amount.  A list of each state’s time frame and interest rate can be found below. If you have any question regarding your specific situation please seek the advice of a lawyer.

How long a judgement last in each state

 

State Domestic Judgement Foreign Judgement Judgement Interest 
Alabama 20 years20 years12%
Alaska 10 years10 years9.25% (unless contracted)
Arizona 5 years4 years19% (unless contracted)
Arkansas 10 years10 years10%
California 10 years10 years10% (unless contracted)
Colorado 20 years6 years8%
Connecticut 20 yearsNo provision10%
DelawareCommon pleas – 10 years

Small Claims – 5 years

No provisionMaximum rate at 5 percent over the Federal Reserve Discount rate on the date of judgement
Florida20 years7 years11%
Georgia 7 years5 yearsPrime + 3%
Hawaii 10 years6 years10% (unless contracted)
Idaho6 years6 years5.375% (changes every July)
Illinois20 years5 years9%
Indiana 20 years20 years8%
Iowa20 years20 years1.12%
KansasRenewable every 5 yearsRenewable every 5 years6.25%
Kentucky 15 years15 years12%
Louisiana10 years10 years9.50%
Maine20 years20 yearsT-Bill rate + 6%
Maryland12 years12 years10% (unless contracted)
Massachusetts 20 years20 years12%
Michigan 10 years10 years1% over US Treasury note (unless contracted)
Minnesota10 years10 years4%
Mississippi7 years7 yearsamount in contract (if no contract court decides)
Missouri 10 years10 years9%
Montana10 years10 years10%
Nebraska Renewable every 5 years5 years2% above bond interest of the 28 week US T-Bill
Nevada6 years6 yearsRate equal to the prime rate at the largest bank in Nevada as ascertained by the commissioner of financial institutions on January 1 or July 1 (unless contracted)
New Hampshire20 years20 years2.40%
New Jersey20 years20 years0.25% (changes yearly)
New Mexico14 years14 years8.75% (unless contracted)
New York20 years20 years9%
North Carolinia10 years10 years8%
North Dakota10 years10 years11.50%
Ohio21 years15 years10% (unless contracted)
OklahomaRenewable every 5 years3 years6%
Oregon10 years10 years9% (unless contracted)
Pennsylvania 4 years4 years6%
Rhode Island 20 years20 years12%
South Carolina10 years10 years12.25%
South Dakota20 years10 years10%
Tennessee10 years10 years10% (unless contracted)
Texas10 years10 years18%
Utah8 years8 yearsFederal post-judgment interest rate as of Jan. 1 of each year plus 2%
Vermont8 years8 years12%
Virginia20 years10 years6%
Washington10 years10 years12%
West Virginia 10 years10 years7%
Wisconsin20 years20 years12%
Wyoming5 years5 years10% (unless contracted)

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