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How Long Does a Judgement Last?

George Simons | December 02, 2022

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.

Don't carry around that debt forever.

Summary: Have an old judgment against you that just won't seem to go away? Learn why you still might be responsible for your old debts and how to know if you're not.

If you face a debt collection lawsuit, the court may enter a judgement against you, giving the creditor a right to claim your property to recover the money you owe. However, it is essential to note that time limits on judgement liens differ from state to state, as discussed in this article.

Alabama

In Alabama, a judgment lien attaches to the debtor's property for up to 10 years, even after the debtor sells the property. In this state, a judgment lien can only apply to a debtor's real estate and not personal property.

Alaska

Similar to Alabama, in Alaska, a judgment lien on a debtor's property is valid for 10 years. Also, the lien only applies to real estate and not personal property.

Arizona

In Arizona, a judgment lien applies to the debtor's property for 5 years, and the judgment stands even after the debtor sells the property.

Arkansas

In Arkansas, a judgment lien on property is valid for 10 years.

California

The California law gives judgment liens on property a 10-year life-cycle.

Colorado

In Colorado, a judgment lien is valid for 6 years from the date of the entry of the judgment.

Connecticut

In Connecticut, a judgment lien applies to either real estate or personal property. Liens on real estate are valid for 20 years, while those on personal property are only valid for 5 five years.

Delaware

In Delaware, judgment liens on real estate expire after 10 years and remain in effect even after the sale or transfer of property.

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Florida

A judgment lien in Florida applies to the debtor's real estate for 10 years and 5 years for personal property

Georgia

Georgia's judgment liens on property are valid and enforceable for 7 years from the date of entry.

Hawaii

In Hawaii, judgment liens are effective for 10 years after judgment entry. This lien remains valid even if the property switches hands.

Idaho

The duration of a judgment lien on real estate in the state of Idaho is 5 years.

Illinois

In Illinois, a judgment lien remains in effect for 7 years, even if the creditor does not force a sale.

Indiana

In Indiana, a creditor can enforce a judgment lien right within the first 10 years by attempting to foreclose on any real property or personal property you own.

Iowa

Iowa's judgment liens on property are valid for 10 years, even after sale or property transfer.

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Kansas

In Kansas, a creditor should begin proceedings within 5 years after entry of a judgment lien against the debtor or risk dormancy of the judgment.

Kentucky

In Kentucky, judgment liens on the property remain effective for 15 years. Creditors can also begin foreclosing on personal property 10 days after the entry of judgment.

Louisiana

According to Louisiana law, a judgment lien on real estate is valid for 10 years.

Maine

In Maine, judgment liens on the debtor's property are valid for 20 years from the date of the filing of the writ of execution.

Maryland

In Maryland, a creditor has twelve years to execute a judgment lien. If you file for bankruptcy,

the creditor can no longer collect on their debt even with the judgment in place.

Massachusetts

After issuing a judgment lien in Massachusetts, it attaches to the debtor's property for 20 years.

Michigan

A judgment lien on property in Michigan is valid for 5 years.

Minnesota

A judgment lien in Minnesota lasts for 10 years. However, judgment liens do not apply to all real estate which can be confusing to some debtors. Consulting with Solosuit will ensure you fully understand any judgment lien entered against you.

Mississippi

A judgment lien in Mississippi attaches to the debtor's property for 7 years even after the sale or transfer of the property.

Missouri

Under Missouri law, a judgment lien is collectible for 10 years even if the debtor sells or transfers the property.

Montana

In Montana, a judgment lien on the property is valid for 10 years. Therefore, the sale or transfer of the property does not affect the validity of the judgment.

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Nebraska

In Nebraska, creditors should enforce judgment liens on property within the first 5 years, after which the judgment becomes dormant.

Nevada

Judgment liens in Nevada on both real estate and personal property remain valid for 6 years.

New Hampshire

Actions of debt upon judgments liens in New Hampshire should start within 20 years.

New Jersey

A judgment lien in New Jersey remains attached to the debtor's property for 20 years. The judgment stands even if the property switches hands.

New Mexico

According to New Mexico's law, a judgment lien on a debtor's property expires after 14 years.

New York

In New York, judgment liens on both personal and real estate are valid for 10 years. The judgment stands even after the sale or transfer of the property.

North Carolina

In North Carolina, a judgment is valid for 10 years. However, creditors can apply to renew the judgment for another 10 years to get additional time to collect the amount owed.

North Dakota

A judgment lien on property in North Dakota lasts for 10 years. The judgment stands even after the sale or transfer of the property

Ohio

In Ohio, Judgment liens only apply to a debtor's real property and will remain in effect for 5 years.

Oklahoma

A creditor in Oklahoma should execute a judgment lien on property within 5 years.

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Oregon

Oregon's judgment liens on property expire after 10 years of judgment entry. However, a court may extend judgment remedies for another 10 years.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's judgment liens on property are valid for only 5 years. However, creditors can file for judgment revival every 5 years for up to 20 years.

Rhode Island

A creditor can execute a judgment lien in Rhode Island within 20 years from the date of the judgment.

South Carolina

In this state, the judgment lien remains attached to the debtor's property for 10 years. However, creditors cannot renew judgment liens after expiry.

South Dakota

South Dakota's judgment liens on property last for 10 years and remain in place even if the debtor sells or transfers the property. After expiry, creditors can apply to renew the judgment for another 10 years.

Tennessee

Tennessee law provides the validity of 10 years for judgment liens on real estate. Also, a creditor can still enforce this lien even if the debtor sells the property.

Texas

In Texas, a creditor should execute a judgment lien on property within 10 years.

Utah

A judgment lien in Utah remains attached to the debtor's property for 8 years. The judgment is effective even if the debtor transfers the property.

Vermont

As stipulated in Vermont's laws, judgment liens on property are valid for 8 years from the date of issuance.

Virginia

A judgment lien on property in Virginia is enforceable for 20 years from its date of issuance.

Washington

In Washington, judgment liens on real estate remain valid for 10 years. This judgment stands even when the property switches hands.

West Virginia

West Virginia's judgment liens on property continue for 10 years from the date of entry. Creditors can apply to renew the judgment for an additional 10 years.

Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, a judgment lien applies to the debtor's property for ten years, even after the property changes hands.

Wyoming

A judgment lien on property in Wyoming becomes dormant if not executed within 5 years.

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