2026 Guide All 50 States
How to Collect a Small Claims Judgment
Winning is only half the battle. Select your state for a complete guide to wage garnishment, bank levies, property liens, and judgment renewal deadlines.
Approximately 50–75% of small claims judgments go unpaid because winners don't know how to enforce them. This guide covers every enforcement tool available in each state — from wage garnishment to bank levies and property liens — so you can actually get paid.
The 4 main ways to collect a judgment
💼
Wage Garnishment
Withhold up to 25% of the debtor's disposable income each paycheck. Not available in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas.
🏦
Bank Levy
Seize funds directly from the debtor's bank or credit union account. Available in all 50 states.
🏠
Property Lien
Record a lien against the debtor's real estate. They cannot sell or refinance without paying you first.
📋
Debtor's Examination
Summon the debtor to court to disclose all their assets, bank accounts, and employer under oath.
Select Your State
Alabama
Interest: 7.5% · Valid: 10 yrs
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Alaska
Interest: 10.5% · Valid: 10 yrs
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Arizona
Interest: 10% · Valid: 5 yrs
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Arkansas
Interest: 10% · Valid: 10 yrs
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California
Interest: 10% · Valid: 10 yrs
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Colorado
Interest: 8% · Valid: 6 yrs
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Connecticut
Interest: 10% · Valid: 20 yrs
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Delaware
Interest: 5% · Valid: 10 yrs
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Florida
Interest: 6% · Valid: 20 yrs
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Georgia
Interest: 12% · Valid: 7 yrs
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Hawaii
Interest: 10% · Valid: 10 yrs
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Idaho
Interest: 10% · Valid: 5 yrs
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Illinois
Interest: 9% · Valid: 7 yrs
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Indiana
Interest: 8% · Valid: 10 yrs
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Iowa
Interest: 10% · Valid: 20 yrs
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Kansas
Interest: 6% · Valid: 5 yrs
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Kentucky
Interest: 12% · Valid: 15 yrs
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Louisiana
Interest: 9% · Valid: 10 yrs
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Maine
Interest: 15% · Valid: 20 yrs
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Maryland
Interest: 10% · Valid: 12 yrs
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Massachusetts
Interest: 12% · Valid: 20 yrs
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Michigan
Interest: 10% · Valid: 10 yrs
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Minnesota
Interest: 10% · Valid: 10 yrs
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Mississippi
Interest: 8% · Valid: 7 yrs
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Missouri
Interest: 9% · Valid: 10 yrs
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Montana
Interest: 10% · Valid: 10 yrs
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Nebraska
Interest: 6% · Valid: 5 yrs
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Nevada
Interest: 8% · Valid: 6 yrs
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New Hampshire
Interest: 6% · Valid: 20 yrs
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New Jersey
Interest: 10% · Valid: 20 yrs
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New Mexico
Interest: 8.75% · Valid: 14 yrs
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New York
Interest: 9% · Valid: 20 yrs
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North Carolina
No Garnish Interest: 8% · Valid: 10 yrs
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North Dakota
Interest: 6% · Valid: 10 yrs
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Ohio
Interest: 6% · Valid: 5 yrs
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Oklahoma
Interest: 4% · Valid: 5 yrs
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Oregon
Interest: 9% · Valid: 10 yrs
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Pennsylvania
No Garnish Interest: 6% · Valid: 5 yrs
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Rhode Island
Interest: 12% · Valid: 20 yrs
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South Carolina
No Garnish Interest: 8.25% · Valid: 10 yrs
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South Dakota
Interest: 10% · Valid: 20 yrs
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Tennessee
Interest: 10% · Valid: 10 yrs
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Texas
No Garnish Interest: 8.5% · Valid: 10 yrs
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Utah
Interest: 10% · Valid: 8 yrs
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Vermont
Interest: 12% · Valid: 8 yrs
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Virginia
Interest: 6% · Valid: 20 yrs
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Washington
Interest: 12% · Valid: 10 yrs
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West Virginia
Interest: 10% · Valid: 10 yrs
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Wisconsin
Interest: 12% · Valid: 10 yrs
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Wyoming
Interest: 10% · Valid: 5 yrs
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All States — Judgment Collection at a Glance
| State | Wage Garnishment | Judgment Valid | Interest Rate | Homestead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Up to 25% | 10 years | 7.5% | $16,450 |
| Alaska | Up to 25% | 10 years | 10.5% | $73,900 |
| Arizona | Up to 25% | 5 years | 10% | $400,000 |
| Arkansas | Up to 25% | 10 years | 10% | Unlimited |
| California | Up to 25% | 10 years | 10% | $300,000 |
| Colorado | Up to 25% | 6 years | 8% | $105,000 |
| Connecticut | Up to 25% | 20 years | 10% | $75,000 |
| Delaware | Up to 15% | 10 years | 5% | None |
| Florida | Up to 25% | 20 years | 6% | Unlimited |
| Georgia | Up to 25% | 7 years | 12% | $21,500 |
| Hawaii | Up to 5% | 10 years | 10% | $30,000 |
| Idaho | Up to 25% | 5 years | 10% | $100,000 |
| Illinois | Up to 15% | 7 years | 9% | $15,000 |
| Indiana | Up to 25% | 10 years | 8% | $19,300 |
| Iowa | Up to 25% | 20 years | 10% | Unlimited |
| Kansas | Up to 25% | 5 years | 6% | Unlimited |
| Kentucky | Up to 25% | 15 years | 12% | $5,000 |
| Louisiana | Up to 25% | 10 years | 9% | $35,000 |
| Maine | Up to 25% | 20 years | 15% | $47,500 |
| Maryland | Up to 25% | 12 years | 10% | None |
| Massachusetts | Up to 15% | 20 years | 12% | $500,000 |
| Michigan | Up to 25% | 10 years | 10% | $40,475 |
| Minnesota | Up to 25% | 10 years | 10% | $480,000 |
| Mississippi | Up to 25% | 7 years | 8% | $75,000 |
| Missouri | Up to 25% | 10 years | 9% | $15,000 |
| Montana | Up to 25% | 10 years | 10% | $250,000 |
| Nebraska | Up to 25% | 5 years | 6% | $60,000 |
| Nevada | Up to 25% | 6 years | 8% | $605,000 |
| New Hampshire | Up to 25% | 20 years | 6% | $120,000 |
| New Jersey | Up to 10% | 20 years | 10% | None |
| New Mexico | Up to 25% | 14 years | 8.75% | $60,000 |
| New York | Up to 10% | 20 years | 9% | $89,975 |
| North Carolina | Exempt | 10 years | 8% | $35,000 |
| North Dakota | Up to 25% | 10 years | 6% | $100,000 |
| Ohio | Up to 25% | 5 years | 6% | $136,925 |
| Oklahoma | Up to 25% | 5 years | 4% | Unlimited |
| Oregon | Up to 25% | 10 years | 9% | $40,000 |
| Pennsylvania | Exempt | 5 years | 6% | None |
| Rhode Island | Up to 25% | 20 years | 12% | $500,000 |
| South Carolina | Exempt | 10 years | 8.25% | $58,175 |
| South Dakota | Up to 20% | 20 years | 10% | Unlimited |
| Tennessee | Up to 25% | 10 years | 10% | $5,000 |
| Texas | Exempt | 10 years | 8.5% | Unlimited |
| Utah | Up to 25% | 8 years | 10% | $30,000 |
| Vermont | Up to 15% | 8 years | 12% | $125,000 |
| Virginia | Up to 25% | 20 years | 6% | $5,000 |
| Washington | Up to 25% | 10 years | 12% | $125,000 |
| West Virginia | Up to 20% | 10 years | 10% | $25,000 |
| Wisconsin | Up to 20% | 10 years | 12% | $75,000 |
| Wyoming | Up to 25% | 5 years | 10% | $20,000 |
States Where You Cannot Garnish Wages
Four states — Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South Carolina — do not allow wage garnishment for most consumer debts. Florida effectively protects most debtors who are head of household. In these states, focus enforcement efforts on bank account levies and real property liens.
Even in wage-garnishment states, certain income is always exempt federally: Social Security, SSI, veterans' benefits, federal pension payments, and child support/alimony received by the debtor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do if the defendant refuses to pay my small claims judgment?
If the defendant refuses to pay voluntarily, you have several legal enforcement tools: (1) wage garnishment — the court orders their employer to withhold a portion of each paycheck until the judgment is paid (not available in a few states like Texas and Pennsylvania); (2) bank account levy — the court seizes funds from their bank account; (3) property lien — record the judgment with the county to create a lien on their real estate; (4) debtor's examination — ask the court to order the debtor to appear and disclose their assets under oath. Select your state above for the specific tools and limits in your jurisdiction.
How long do I have to collect a small claims judgment?
Judgment expiration varies by state — typically 5–20 years. Most states allow you to renew the judgment before it expires for another full term. Your judgment also earns interest (typically 5–12% per year depending on state) the entire time it remains unpaid. If the judgment expires before you collect, it becomes unenforceable, so renew it in time.
Can I garnish someone's wages to collect a court judgment?
In most US states, yes — you can garnish wages using a Writ of Garnishment served on the debtor's employer. Federal law caps garnishment at 25% of disposable income or the amount above 30× minimum wage, whichever is less. However, the following states restrict or prohibit wage garnishment for most consumer debts: North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas. Always check your state's specific rules before attempting wage garnishment.
What is post-judgment interest and how is it calculated?
Post-judgment interest is the interest rate that automatically accrues on an unpaid court judgment. It starts running from the day the judgment is entered and compounds until the debt is paid. Rates vary by state law — from 3% to 12% annually. To calculate: multiply the judgment amount by the annual rate and divide by 365 to get the daily interest amount. Post-judgment interest must be tracked and can significantly increase the total amount owed if the debtor delays payment.
Can I put a lien on someone's house for a small claims judgment?
Yes — in most states you can record a judgment lien against the debtor's real property by filing a certified copy of the judgment with the county recorder. This prevents the debtor from selling or refinancing without paying you first. The lien lasts for the same duration as the judgment (5–20 years depending on state). Note: the debtor's primary residence may be partially or fully protected by a homestead exemption, which varies dramatically by state.
What assets are protected from judgment collection?
Assets typically protected from judgment collection include: Social Security and disability payments, unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, retirement account funds (IRA, 401k), tools and equipment needed for the debtor's occupation (up to a state limit), a vehicle up to a specified equity value, and the primary residence up to the state's homestead exemption (which ranges from $0 to unlimited). Non-exempt assets include bank accounts (beyond a minimum), investment accounts, and real property beyond the homestead exemption.