judgment enforcement

How do you pick a Judgment enforcer. Here is a guide on how to pick one, and also what to expect.

How do you pick the right Judgment Enforcer? Here is a check list:

1) Do they have a web site that clearly shows their contact information? (Beware Enforcers that hide their names, phone numbers, and email addresses)

2) Are they members of any professional organizations or have they taken any training courses? (Beware of lone-wolf enforcers that do not network with other Judgment Enforcers, or those that do not keep themselves up on ever- changing laws).

3) Don't pay too much attention to referrals supplied by the Judgment Enforcer. (Beware of referrals being the top 1 percent of results obtained. Just like a contractor who can do 95 shoddy projects and 5 good ones - they can show you 5 referrals - but are 95% likely to do a shoddy job.)

4) Look at the court records - especially if the court is online. Look at the court records to see if the Judgment Enforcer is there. (Beware if they have been sued before.)

5) How responsive the Judgment Enforcer is. (Beware people or companies that never return emails or phone calls.)

6) How much they charge. Most Judgment enforcers charge 50% of what they collect from the Debtor. There are lots of ways a debtor can escape paying. Most Judgment enforcers do not believe in unjust enrichment. This means if the Judgment is very easy to enforce - most will not charge a full 50% - but they just can't put this in writing - as nobody can predict accurately how hard a Judgment is to enforce. (Beware Judgment Enforcers that charge 20-35% - they might be brand new, or desperate for business - or waste your time only working on the few Judgments that turn out to be easy.)

7) How close the Judgment Enforcer is to your debtor. (Beware the Judgment Enforcer who takes all judgments - even thousands of miles from the debtor. Judgments must be enforced in the same State, and better yet - the same County as the Debtor.

Reputable, Quality judgment enforcers. Nobody can guarantee how long it will take to enforce a judgment. Time limits can create bailment - performing a service for another - something a mortal (not a lawyer) should not do. Beware a promise to collect money by a certain date - such promises are guesses.)

9) How informative the Judgment Enforcer is. Pick a Judgment Enforcer that tells you what is going to happen.)

As important as the above checklist is, there is another checklist you - as the owner of the Judgment should follow:

1) Have realistic expectations - Judgment Enforcers are not magicians - if your debtor is poor - it's going to be a long time before any money is recovered.

2) Be patient - Judgment Enforcement takes months in the best of circumstances. Do not harass or pester a Judgment Enforcer. Ask them how it's going no more often then once every 3 months. If the debtor is poor, limit yourself to asking less than once a year.

Nothing about enforcing Judgments is Certain. Anything can happen. Bankruptcy destroys most Judgments. The debtor can lose their job, get sick, become disabled, or die.

The best debtors are young with assets. Pensions, Social Security, retirement plans - are off limits. This is not always fair - but it's the law.


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JudgentBuy.com has the best FAQ on Judgment Enforcement.