Az Judgment

Collecting a judgment can be just as challenging as winning the lawsuit in some cases. If the defendant has stable finances, they should pay the judgment uneventfully.Most often, the judgment debtor will need to pay the judgment as a lump sum, but sometimes a debtor will ask to pay it in installments.

How does a creditor go about getting a judgment lien in Arizona? To attach the lien, the creditor files and records a judgment with the county recorder in any Arizona county where the debtor owns property now or where they may own property in the future.

Do not use illegal ways to collect your money. Encourage the debtor to pay you voluntarily. Be organized. Ask a lawyer or collection agency for help. Make sure you renew your judgment. Ask the court for help.

A judgment or judgment lien will be valid for ten years from its date of entry. A.R.S. § 12-1551. The deadline for renewing a judgment by filing a lawsuit or an affidavit will be ten years from the judgment's date of entry.

Judgments in Arizona must be renewed every five years. When a judgment creditor fails to properly renew, the result is the inability to enforce the judgment through a writ of execution or other process.

The winner of the case may collect by first sending a letter stating what is owed and trying to collect from the other party . If the other party refuses to pay there are of other tools that a person can use to collect such as: garnishment , executions on property , debtor's examinations, and recording judgments.

In many situations, one of the best ways to collect a judgment after winning a case is to put a lien on the debtor's property. This gives you a claim to the property and, in some cases, the property will be sold at public auction in order to satisfy the debt that is owed.

Complete a mechanics lien form that meets the legal requirements. Download an Arizona mechanics lien form. File the lien claim with the county prothonotary (clerk) by the deadline. Serve a copy of the lien on the property owner.