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
View enforcement guide →
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
View enforcement guide →
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?
Eligibility requirements for collecting a small claims judgment depend on your state's specific rules. Our calculator provides the key thresholds and requirements by state. For legal advice on your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.
How long do I have to collect a small claims judgment?
Time limits for collecting a small claims judgment cases vary significantly by state and claim type. Select your state in the calculator above to see the applicable deadlines. Always verify current limits with a legal professional.
Can I garnish someone's wages to collect a court judgment?
Eligibility requirements for collecting a small claims judgment depend on your state's specific rules. Our calculator provides the key thresholds and requirements by state. For legal advice on your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.
What is post-judgment interest and how is it calculated?
What is post-judgment interest and how is it calculated is an important aspect of collecting a small claims judgment. Requirements and limits vary by state. Our state-by-state data above covers the key figures you need, sourced from official government websites.
Can I put a lien on someone's house for a small claims judgment?
Eligibility requirements for collecting a small claims judgment depend on your state's specific rules. Our calculator provides the key thresholds and requirements by state. For legal advice on your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.
What assets are protected from judgment collection?
collecting a small claims judgment rules vary by state. See our complete state-by-state breakdown above for the most current information, sourced directly from official court and government websites.