Enforcing Judgments When the Debtor Leaves the State
An out-of-state judgment is a judgment issued by a court in one U.S. state that a creditor wants to enforce in another U.S. state. This most commonly happens when a debtor relocates after a lawsuit is over.
If the person or business you obtained a judgment against has moved, there is no need to panic — your judgment may still be enforceable.
What Is an Out-of-State Judgment?
An out-of-state judgment occurs when:
- The lawsuit was decided in one state
- The debtor later moves to another state
- The creditor must pursue enforcement where the debtor now lives or holds assets
Although the judgment remains valid, it must be properly recognized before enforcement can proceed in the new state.
Do Judgments Still Apply When Someone Moves?
Yes.
A debtor cannot escape a judgment simply by moving to another state. U.S. states are generally required to honor judgments from other states once the proper recognition process is completed.
Common Reasons Debtors Move After Judgment
Debtors may relocate to:
- Avoid wage garnishment
- Change employers
- Hide assets
- Delay enforcement
- Restart financially
Relocation is one of the most common post-judgment tactics — and one of the reasons professional enforcement is often necessary.
How We Help Enforce Out-of-State Judgments
We assist judgment creditors by:
- Locating debtors who moved out of state
- Identifying employment and asset activity in the new state
- Assisting with recognition of the judgment
- Coordinating enforcement once recognized
- Monitoring compliance and payments
Once recognized, enforcement options may include wage garnishment, bank levies, liens, or other lawful collection methods.
Out-of-State Does Not Mean Uncollectible
Many out-of-state judgments are highly collectible, especially if the debtor:
- Is employed
- Owns property
- Operates a business
- Maintains active bank accounts
Moving often creates new financial footprints that enforcement can uncover.
Free Out-of-State Judgment Analysis
If the person or business you have a judgment against left your state or area, we may still be able to enforce it.
Give us a call for a free analysis of your out-of-state judgment.