Enforcing Foreign Judgments in California
A foreign judgment is a court judgment issued by a jurisdiction outside the one where enforcement is now being sought. In most civil enforcement contexts, “foreign” refers to judgments from another state or another country.
If the debtor or their assets are now located in California, a foreign judgment may still be enforceable — but it must first go through a recognition process before collection can begin.
What Is a Foreign Judgment?
A foreign judgment may come from:
- Another U.S. state
- A U.S. territory
- In some cases, a foreign country
While the judgment is valid where it was originally issued, it cannot be enforced automatically in a new jurisdiction. It must first be recognized by the local court.
Why Foreign Judgments Require Extra Steps
Courts only have authority within their own jurisdiction. When a judgment crosses jurisdictional boundaries, enforcement requires:
- Verification of the original judgment
- Proper filing and recognition in the new jurisdiction
- Compliance with local procedural rules
Once recognized, the foreign judgment is treated the same as a local judgment for enforcement purposes.
Common Situations Involving Foreign Judgments
Foreign judgments often arise when:
- A debtor moves after losing a lawsuit
- A business relocates or dissolves and reappears elsewhere
- Assets are held in another state or country
- A creditor lives in a different jurisdiction than the debtor
These situations are increasingly common and do not mean the judgment is worthless.
How We Assist With Foreign Judgment Enforcement
We help creditors by:
- Reviewing the original judgment for enforceability
- Assisting with the judgment recognition process
- Coordinating with legal partners when required
- Locating debtors and assets in California
- Pursuing lawful enforcement options once recognized
Enforcement methods may include wage garnishment, bank levies, property liens, or debtor examinations — depending on the circumstances.
Foreign Judgments Can Still Have Real Value
Many creditors assume a foreign judgment is too complicated to enforce. In reality, once properly recognized, enforcement options are often identical to those available for local judgments.
Free Foreign Judgment Review
If you have a judgment from another jurisdiction and believe the debtor or assets are now in California, enforcement may be possible.
Contact us for a free foreign judgment analysis.