Start My Answer

How to File a Motion to Satisfy Judgment in Utah

George Simons | December 05, 2023

George Simons
Co-Founder of SoloSuit
George Simons, JD/MBA

George Simons is the co-founder and CEO of SoloSuit. He has helped Americans protect over $1 billion from predatory debt lawsuits. George graduated from BYU Law school in 2020 with a JD-MBA. In his spare time, George likes to cook, because he likes to eat.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

This guide is all about how to file a motion to satisfy judgment in Utah. When you’ve entered into a stipulated payment plan and then finally paid the whole thing off, you want to get a certificate of satisfaction that shows the debt is resolved. You do this by filing a Motion to Satisfy Judgment.

To file a Motion to Satisfy Judgment you actually need to file three separate documents. (Warning: the names of these documents are intimidating.)

  1. Debtor’s Motion to Declare the Judgment Satisfied - This document is the motion itself. It states that you want the court to say the debt judgment is satisfied.
  2. Request to Submit for Decision - This document states that you are requesting the court to make a decision.
  3. Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order on Debtor’s Motion to Declare Judgment Satisfied - This document is a suggestion of how the court should rule. It’s actually in the voice of the court itself, but it is just a proposal. The court may not accept your proposal.

To get started, click on the link for each document. Then fill out each form by either printing them and writing on them with pen or by filling them out digitally with a PDF editor. Once they are filled out, mail one copy to the plaintiff’s attorney and one to the court. Be sure to follow these rules.

Good luck.

Also, take advantage of these additional tips and answers.

Keep awesome records

Maintaining good records is very important because during a conflict only the documentation will be 100% honest. Memory cannot be relied on to settle important matters. For example, if there is a question about who owes what for a judgment, only the records will show who is truly accountable. Although it might seem tedious, it is extremely important to keep up to date records of transactions, both legal and otherwise.

Both the court and the parties involved should have documentation of the transactions. This documentation should be related to all transactions and anything related to the judgment. Parties should also keep documentation of any payments or charges that occur for the duration of the issue. Both parties should keep the receipts in the following cases: attorney fees, fee to apply for a writ of garnishment, fee to apply for a writ of execution, fee to serve the writ, fee paid to a garnishee, any payment by the insurance company, wages or other money are withheld from the debtor by the garnishee, creditor receives proceeds of a sheriff’s sale, or the debtor forfeits bail to the creditor.

It is better to be safe than sorry and keep all legal and financial documentation surrounding an event when there is even the slightest chance of a legal issue.

If a creditor wants to renew a judgment, they need to prove the amount that is still due. On the other hand, if a debtor wants a ruling that the debt is satisfied, they must prove the debt is fully paid. Rest assured that the creditor will fight the debtor on this point. Written records are a debtors best friend when it comes time to prove a debt is paid.

(Check out the official page from the Utah Courts.)

How post-judgment interest works

Judgment debts are subject to interest. So, if you lose your lawsuit and now owe money, the amount you owe is subject to interest.

A post judgment interest rate is a rate that is established before the judgment that will only be applied following the judgment. This interest rate will be applied for the remainder of the life of the judgment, including after renewal. Depending on the case, certain civil judgments can carry a higher percent rate than the federal interest rate at the time of the judgment.

According to Utah Code, the rate that is agreed upon at the beginning of the case is the rate that will be observed for the duration of the case and judgment even if the federal rate varies during that time. An order renewing the judgment is a different judgment all together and holds its own rules. The post-judgment interest for the renewed judgment is determined by the current interest rate for that given year. The only time that this rule is not effective is when there is a pre-existing contract, or a contract is created that specifies a different rate.

What does satisfaction of a debt mean?

Satisfaction of a judgment means that all debts have been paid or resolved by the debtor. These debts may include the judgment amount, all fees associated with the judgment amount, costs and interest, and any other pending fees or costs.

Satisfaction of a judgment means that the judgment is over and a solution has been found and fulfilled. When a judgment is satisfied, it means that the court no longer has an obligation to control the parties.

Another option is called a partial satisfaction. This is less common, but means that only a part of the judgment has been fulfilled.

There are two ways that a satisfaction of a judgment can be recorded. The two ways are an acknowledgement by the creditor or a motion by the debtor.

What’s an acknowledgement of satisfaction by the creditor?

An acknowledgement of satisfaction by the creditor is one of the two ways to record a satisfaction of judgment with the court. An acknowledgement of satisfaction by the creditor involves filing an acknowledgment of satisfaction in the appropriate court as well as giving a copy of the document to the debtor. An acknowledgment of satisfaction by the creditor lets the court know that the debt has been settled and that the case is closed. If the creditor party has reassigned the judgment, the assignee is responsible for the collection of the debt as well as the acknowledgment of satisfaction.

What is a motion for satisfaction by the debtor?

Another option that signifies the satisfaction of a judgment is the motion for satisfaction by the debtor. In this case, the debtor submits to the court that the debt has been satisfied. Because the debtor is the party responsible for paying the debt, some proof is required. In addition, the court provides the opportunity for the creditor to respond. The filing is the same as the acknowledgement of satisfaction by the creditor. Both parties and the court need a copy of the motion before it can be successfully recorded.

How to get a Certificate of Satisfaction

The day you get to file a Certificate of Satisfaction is a good day. It shows that your debt is all paid off and resolved. It must then be presented in the appropriate court. If a judgment has been filed in any other courts than the primary court, proof of satisfaction must be presented to them as well.

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

Guides on how to resolve debt with every debt collector

Are you being sued by a debt collector? We’re making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

Resolve your debt with your creditor

Some creditors, banks, and lenders have an internal collections department. If they come after you for a debt, Solosuit can still help you respond and resolve the debt. Here’s a list of guides on how to resolve debt with different creditors.

Settle your medical debt

Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.

Guides on arbitration

If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

Stop calls from debt collectors

Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it’s a debt collector on the other line? If you’ve been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we’ll tell you how to stop them.

Federal debt collection laws can protect you

Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

Get debt relief in your state

We’ve created a specialized guide on how to find debt relief in all 50 states, complete with steps to take to find relief, state-specific resources, and more.

Debt collection laws in all 50 states

Debt collection laws vary by state, so we have compiled a guide to each state’s debt collection laws to make it easier for you to stand up for your rights—no matter where you live.

Statute of limitations on debt state guides

Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote a guide on each state’s statutes. Check it out below.

Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection by State (Best Guide)

Check the status of your court case

Don’t have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We’ve created a guide on how to check the status of your case in every state, complete with online search tools and court directories.

How to stop wage garnishment in your state

Forgot to respond to your debt lawsuit? The judge may have ordered a default judgment against you, and with a default judgment, debt collectors can garnish your wages. Here are our guides on how to stop wage garnishment in all 50 states.

Other wage garnishment resources

How to settle a debt in your state

Debt settlement is one of the most effective ways to resolve a debt and save money. We’ve created a guide on how to settle your debt in all 50 states. Find out how to settle in your state with a simple click and explore other debt settlement resources below.

How to settle with every debt collector

Not sure how to negotiate a debt settlement with a debt collector? We are creating guides to help you know how to start the settlement conversation and increase your chances of coming to an agreement with every debt collector.

Other debt settlement resources

Personal loan and debt relief reviews

We give a factual review of the following debt consolidation, debt settlement, and loan organizations and companies to help you make an informed decision before you take on a debt.

How to repair and improve your credit score

Debt has a big impact on your credit. Below is a list of guides on how to repair and improve your credit, even while managing major debt.

How to resolve student loan debt

Struggling with student debt? SoloSuit’s got you covered. Below are resources on handling student loan debt.

Civil law legal definitions

You can represent yourself in court. Save yourself the time and cost of finding an attorney, and use the following resources to understand legal definitions better and how they may apply to your case.

Get answers to these FAQs on debt collection

How-to debt guides

Learn more with these additional debt resources


Contents