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 years | 20 years | 12% |
Alaska | 10 years | 10 years | 9.25% (unless contracted) |
Arizona | 5 years | 4 years | 19% (unless contracted) |
Arkansas | 10 years | 10 years | 10% |
California | 10 years | 10 years | 10% (unless contracted) |
Colorado | 20 years | 6 years | 8% |
Connecticut | 20 years | No provision | 10% |
Delaware | Common pleas – 10 years Small Claims – 5 years | No provision | Maximum rate at 5 percent over the Federal Reserve Discount rate on the date of judgement |
Florida | 20 years | 7 years | 11% |
Georgia | 7 years | 5 years | Prime + 3% |
Hawaii | 10 years | 6 years | 10% (unless contracted) |
Idaho | 6 years | 6 years | 5.375% (changes every July) |
Illinois | 20 years | 5 years | 9% |
Indiana | 20 years | 20 years | 8% |
Iowa | 20 years | 20 years | 1.12% |
Kansas | Renewable every 5 years | Renewable every 5 years | 6.25% |
Kentucky | 15 years | 15 years | 12% |
Louisiana | 10 years | 10 years | 9.50% |
Maine | 20 years | 20 years | T-Bill rate + 6% |
Maryland | 12 years | 12 years | 10% (unless contracted) |
Massachusetts | 20 years | 20 years | 12% |
Michigan | 10 years | 10 years | 1% over US Treasury note (unless contracted) |
Minnesota | 10 years | 10 years | 4% |
Mississippi | 7 years | 7 years | amount in contract (if no contract court decides) |
Missouri | 10 years | 10 years | 9% |
Montana | 10 years | 10 years | 10% |
Nebraska | Renewable every 5 years | 5 years | 2% above bond interest of the 28 week US T-Bill |
Nevada | 6 years | 6 years | Rate 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 Hampshire | 20 years | 20 years | 2.40% |
New Jersey | 20 years | 20 years | 0.25% (changes yearly) |
New Mexico | 14 years | 14 years | 8.75% (unless contracted) |
New York | 20 years | 20 years | 9% |
North Carolinia | 10 years | 10 years | 8% |
North Dakota | 10 years | 10 years | 11.50% |
Ohio | 21 years | 15 years | 10% (unless contracted) |
Oklahoma | Renewable every 5 years | 3 years | 6% |
Oregon | 10 years | 10 years | 9% (unless contracted) |
Pennsylvania | 4 years | 4 years | 6% |
Rhode Island | 20 years | 20 years | 12% |
South Carolina | 10 years | 10 years | 12.25% |
South Dakota | 20 years | 10 years | 10% |
Tennessee | 10 years | 10 years | 10% (unless contracted) |
Texas | 10 years | 10 years | 18% |
Utah | 8 years | 8 years | Federal post-judgment interest rate as of Jan. 1 of each year plus 2% |
Vermont | 8 years | 8 years | 12% |
Virginia | 20 years | 10 years | 6% |
Washington | 10 years | 10 years | 12% |
West Virginia | 10 years | 10 years | 7% |
Wisconsin | 20 years | 20 years | 12% |
Wyoming | 5 years | 5 years | 10% (unless contracted) |