For many businesses in California, winning a court case is often only half the battle. You might find yourself holding a “paper judgment” against a debtor who currently lacks attachable assets. While frustrating, this is rarely a total loss. Successful collection is a...
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Judgment Enforcement
How do wage garnishments enforce California judgments?
When a court enters a judgment against you in California, the other party may try to collect the debt through wage garnishment. In many cases, this process relies on a court order called an earnings withholding order. That order directs your employer to hold back part...
What limits exist on bank levy effectiveness in California?
When you pursue judgment enforcement in California, a bank levy can appear to be a direct path to collect money. In practice, recovery may not always match expectations. Several legal and practical limits can reduce how much you actually collect, even when the levy...
How to find hidden assets in California when debtors won’t pay?
Winning a judgment is only half the battle. The real struggle begins when debtors claim they are "broke" while simultaneously maintaining their lifestyle, running businesses, or transferring property to family members. If you suspect a debtor is hiding assets rather...
How do judgment liens work in California debt collection cases?
When a creditor wins a lawsuit in California, they can place a judgment lien on the debtor’s property to secure payment. This lien attaches to real property, such as a house or land, and makes it more difficult for the debtor to sell or refinance until they pay the...
How to collect a judgment without giving up control
You won in court, but now you're stuck at the most frustrating part: trying to collect without losing your grip on the process. Maybe someone told you to "just assign it to a collection agency," as if that's the only way to get paid. What they probably didn't tell you...
How much must a debtor make for garnishment to be possible?
There are several different ways to collect on a debt when the party who owes money isn't cooperative. In some cases, creditors can take debtors to court and can secure a judgment against them. With a judgment, it may be possible to intercept a portion of an...
Using liens to compel debtors to pay what they owe
Creditors trying to collect on a debt generally try to pursue amicable solutions whenever possible. Negotiating payment arrangements and cooperating with those who have fallen behind on their obligations is often preferable to aggressive collection efforts....
When can wage garnishment help with debt collection?
Individuals who have a significant amount of personal debt may not prioritize paying their creditors. Frequently, frivolous spending takes priority over fulfilling obligations to other parties. That is especially true when a creditor is a business, not an individual...
How can a bank levy facilitate collection efforts?
For some companies, collecting what they’re due proves to be a challenge of patience and sometimes logistics. In some cases, they have to turn to the courts to order payments. Enforcement of these orders may involve methods such as bank levies and garnishments. A...