Winning a judgment in one state doesn’t always mean the debtor—and their assets—are in that same state. Many creditors find themselves asking: “Can I enforce my judgment in another state?” The answer is yes—but it requires an additional legal step.
This process is called domestication of a foreign judgment, and it’s essential if you want to collect across state lines. In this post, we’ll explain how it works, what challenges to expect, and why working with a judgment collection attorney can make all the difference.
What Is a Foreign Judgment?
A foreign judgment is any judgment issued by a court outside the state where you want to enforce it. It doesn’t mean the judgment comes from another country (though international enforcement is also possible in some cases); it simply means it was issued in a different U.S. state.
Example:
- You win a judgment in California, but the debtor lives or owns property in Arizona.
- To enforce the judgment in Arizona, you must first domesticate it there.
Why Domestication Is Necessary
A judgment issued in one state has no automatic legal effect in another. Courts in different states are independent and don’t have jurisdiction over each other’s rulings—unless you go through a formal process.
Domestication gives the judgment the same legal force as if it were originally issued in the new state. Only then can you:
- Garnish wages
- Levy bank accounts
- Place liens on local real estate
- Seize property held in that state
The Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act (UEFJA)
Most states have adopted the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act (UEFJA), which provides a relatively streamlined process for domestication.
Here’s how it generally works:
- File a certified copy of the judgment in the new state.
- Submit an affidavit stating that the judgment is final and unpaid.
- Serve notice to the debtor, giving them a chance to contest.
- Wait the required period (usually 30 days) before beginning enforcement.
Once the waiting period passes and no valid objection is raised, the judgment becomes enforceable in the new state just like a local one.
When Domestication Gets More Complicated
While UEFJA makes the process easier, some situations require extra steps or legal strategy:
- States that don’t follow UEFJA: A few states require you to file a new lawsuit to “re-establish” the judgment, which takes more time and effort.
- Debtor opposition: The debtor may claim the judgment was improperly obtained, already paid, or invalid for jurisdictional reasons.
- Old judgments: Some states have stricter rules on enforcing older judgments, even if still valid in the original state.
- Multiple states involved: If the debtor has assets in several places, you may need to domesticate the judgment in multiple jurisdictions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Creditors often lose time—or the ability to collect—by making these errors:
- Failing to act quickly: Statutes of limitations vary by state. Delays can lead to expiration.
- Using the wrong forms or process: Each state has its own court procedures, filing fees, and document requirements.
- Trying to collect without domestication: Attempting enforcement without properly domesticating the judgment is not only ineffective, it may be unlawful.
Why Work with a Judgment Collection Attorney
A qualified attorney can:
- Handle the domestication process from start to finish
- Ensure compliance with all local rules
- Overcome objections raised by the debtor
- Use enforcement tools immediately once domesticated
- Help identify which state(s) to target based on the debtor’s assets
Attorneys also have access to asset searches, skip tracing, and investigative resources to help you figure out where the debtor’s assets are located in the first place.
Conclusion: Don’t Let State Lines Stop You
If the person or business that owes you money has moved—or always lived—in another state, your judgment is still enforceable. But you’ll need to go through the legal process of domestication to make it happen.
With the right help, you can cross state lines and collect what you’re owed—legally, efficiently, and strategically. We recommend Judgement Collection Attorney.
