Certificate of Judgment in Ohio: What You Need to Know

You just received a certificate of judgment in Ohio. You thought your lawsuit was over when the judge made their ruling.

You were wrong.

The judgment might just be the beginning. If you don’t honor the court’s payment plan, your creditor has powerful collection tools. A certificate of judgment is one of them.

A certificate of judgment allows creditors to collect debts through the court. They can place liens on your property, your home, even your car.

You need to understand what this means for you.

Understanding Certificates of Judgment in Ohio

Ohio Revised Code Section 2329.07 defines a certificate of judgment clearly. It’s a sealed court document certifying that a judgment exists.

The certificate comes from the clerk of courts where your case was heard. It carries the official court seal.

But what does this certificate actually do?

It grants your creditor specific legal rights. They can now place liens on your property to collect what you owe.

How Property Liens Work

Ohio Revised Code Section 2329.02 explains the lien process. Once a creditor files the certificate with the county clerk, they create a lien.

The lien attaches to your land and property in that county. The certificate must include specific information:

• The court that issued the judgment
• Case title and number
• Names of creditors and debtors
• Judgment amount and costs
• Interest rate and accrual date
• Date of judgment
• Journal entry location

Your creditor can seize several types of property under Ohio law:

• Vehicles
• Homes and real estate
• Bank accounts
• Other valuable assets

The lien becomes valid once the certificate is properly served. Service usually happens at your home or workplace, just like the original summons.

Real-World Example

Jason owed his credit card company money. They sued him for the debt.

He admitted he owed it. The court granted a summary judgment against him.

Jason didn’t make payments for several months. The credit card company obtained a certificate of judgment.

Now they could seize his property. They placed a lien on his house.

Jason had no choice but to pay the full judgment amount. Our partner Solo could have helped him respond to the lawsuit before it reached this point.

What Happens When You Live Outside Ohio

You moved to another state. Does the certificate of judgment still apply?

Yes, it does.

Creditors can file certificates even when you live in a different county or state. The process works across state lines.

Say your creditor lives in Ohio but you moved to Pennsylvania. They can still file for a judgment certificate.

The court clerk seals the certificate for transfer. Pennsylvania courts will uphold Ohio’s verdict and demand payment.

The Multi-State Collection Process

Your creditor must apply for an examination hearing. They submit three critical documents:

• Notice of Examination identifying you as the debtor
• Affidavit for Enforcement Request with payment records and outstanding balance
• Certificate of Judgment from the original court

The court sets a hearing date. Your creditor serves you with the Notice of Examination.

They file the Affidavit of Service at least three days before your hearing. You can challenge improper service at the hearing itself.

Preparing for Your Examination Hearing

Both you and the creditor must attend. The creditor’s lawyer will likely be there too.

You’ll answer detailed questions about your finances. The court wants to know everything:

• Your bank account numbers and balances
• Your income and employment status
• Your workplace location
• Your monthly expenses
• Your assets and property
• Any other relevant financial information

The judge reviews all this information carefully. They may order you to pay the full debt immediately.

Or they might set up a payment plan with specific due dates.

The Consequences of Missing Payments

Your creditor can seize your property if you miss payments. They’ll issue a Writ of Seizure and Sale of Land.

This writ allows them to sell your property. The sale proceeds go toward your debt.

You lose your assets. Your credit takes another hit.

Never Skip Your Examination Hearing

Failing to attend is serious. The court considers it contempt.

The judge orders a contempt hearing to determine if you acted willfully. You could face additional penalties, fines, or even jail time.

Can’t make the hearing date? Call the court immediately.

Reschedule with proper notice. Don’t just skip it.

The court issues a Notice of Contempt Hearing if you miss the examination. Your creditor serves it at least seven days before the contempt hearing.

When You Cannot Pay Immediately

You’re unemployed right now. You genuinely cannot pay the debt.

Your creditor might wait. But they won’t wait forever.

Once you get a job, they can enforce the judgment through wage garnishment. A garnishment order takes money directly from your paycheck.

You may qualify for certain exemptions to protect some of your wages. But you must claim these exemptions properly.

What Happens When You Default

You agreed to a payment plan but missed payments. Your creditor can serve you with:

• Notice of Default Payment
• Affidavit of Default of Payment

These documents terminate your payment plan. Your creditor can now use aggressive collection methods:

• Force you to sell property to repay them
• Seize your income through garnishment
• Freeze and withdraw money from your bank accounts

You’re back to square one, only with fewer assets.

How to Stop a Certificate of Judgment

You can negotiate with your creditor. Set up a payment arrangement that works for both parties.

If your creditor agrees, they file a Consent Form with the court. This form stops further collection action.

The Consent Form essentially forgives your previous default. You get another chance to make payments.

But you must follow through this time. Missing payments again will restart the entire process.

Your Best Defense Starts Early

The time to act is when you first receive a lawsuit. Don’t wait until a certificate of judgment is filed.

Our partner Solo helps you respond to debt lawsuits properly. You can file an Answer that protects your rights.

An Answer forces creditors to prove their case. They must validate the debt amount and show proper documentation.

Many debt lawsuits get dismissed because creditors can’t prove their claims. But you must respond within the deadline.

In Ohio, you typically have 28 days to file your Answer after being served.

Understanding Your Rights Under Ohio Law

Ohio law provides some protections for debtors. Certain property is exempt from seizure.

You can protect some equity in your home. Your basic household goods are usually safe.

Tools of your trade have limited protection. Some retirement accounts cannot be touched.

But these exemptions don’t apply automatically. You must claim them properly in court.

A certificate of judgment is serious. It gives creditors real power over your assets.

Don’t ignore the warning signs. Respond to lawsuits promptly and negotiate payment plans you can actually afford.