How Long Does a Judgment Last? State-by-State Guide
Judgments typically last between three and seven years, though some states extend them past 20 years. They remain on your credit report for at least seven years regardless of your state's statute of limitations. You can avoid judgments entirely by responding to debt lawsuits with an Answer document through our partner Solo.
Respond to LawsuitA judgment can feel like it’s ruining your life. You’re not alone in feeling that way.
Bad things do end, though. Understanding judgment timelines is crucial for your financial future.
Avoid a Judgment Before the Deadline
You have limited time to respond to your debt lawsuit. File your Answer now to prevent a default judgment and protect your wages from garnishment.
Answer the LawsuitJudgments typically last three to seven years. Some states extend them beyond 20 years, depending on where you live.
Whether you’re facing a judgment or trying to avoid one, you need to know what it means. You also need to understand how long it follows you and what you can do about it.
Understanding Judgments in Debt Lawsuits
Creditors and debt collectors start by calling and sending letters. If those efforts fail, they file a lawsuit against you.
A judgment is the final court decision after this lawsuit. It determines what you owe and how you’ll pay.
The judgment gives creditors legal powers to collect money from you. These powers vary based on the judgment’s severity.
Missing court creates the worst outcome. The court makes decisions without hearing your side of the story.
You’ll receive a default judgment. The creditor gets everything they requested in this scenario.
Default judgments cost you the most money. Don’t ignore the lawsuit because you feel overwhelmed.
Our partner Solo makes responding to lawsuits simple. Show up to court and present arguments for a manageable judgment.
Collection Powers After a Default Judgment
Courts may grant creditors these collection methods:
- Property levies: Courts issue a “writ of execution” allowing officials to auction your possessions.
- Property lien: Creditors officially own specific valuables like your property title and control future sales.
- Wage garnishment: Your employer must deduct portions of your paycheck weekly to pay the creditor.
- Bank account garnishment: Creditors withdraw money directly from your bank account.
A stipulated judgment gives you more control. You and the creditor agree on less than their original demand.
Creditors prefer getting some money rather than nothing. You might pay a smaller lump sum or arrange a payment plan.
Judgment Duration by State
Every state sets different time limits for judgment debts. These time limits are called statutes of limitations.
| State | Years Valid |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 20 |
| Arizona | 4 |
| Arkansas | 10 |
| California | 10 |
| Connecticut | 20 |
| Delaware | 5 |
| District of Columbia | 12 |
| Florida | 20 |
| Georgia | 5 |
| Hawaii | 10 |
| Idaho | 6 |
| Illinois | 20 |
| Indiana | 20 |
| Iowa | 10 or 20 |
| Kentucky | 15 |
| Louisiana | 10 |
| Maine | 20 |
| Maryland | 12 |
| Massachusetts | 6 |
| Michigan | 6 or 10 |
| Minnesota | 10 |
| Mississippi | 7 |
| Missouri | 10 |
| Montana | 10 |
| Nebraska | 5 |
| Nevada | 6 |
| New Hampshire | 20 |
| New Jersey | 20 |
| New Mexico | 14 |
| New York | 20 |
| North Carolina | 10 |
| North Dakota | 10 |
| Ohio | 21 |
| Oklahoma | 3 |
| Oregon | 10 |
| Pennsylvania | 4 |
| Rhode Island | 20 |
| South Carolina | 10 |
| South Dakota | 10 or 20 |
| Tennessee | 10 |
| Utah | 8 |
| Vermont | 6 or 10 |
| Virginia | 10 or 20 |
| Washington | 10 |
| West Virginia | 10 |
| Wisconsin | 6 or 20 |
| Wyoming | 5 |
How Statute of Limitations Works
You no longer owe the debt once the statute expires. The judgment becomes “dormant” and creditors can’t harass you anymore.
Creditors can renew a judgment before expiration. The countdown starts over when they renew it.
Making a payment also restarts the statute of limitations. Any interaction with the judgment resets the clock to zero.
Impact on Your Credit Report
Judgment effects continue after the statute expires or you pay it off. Judgments damage your credit score and take time to rebuild.
Judgments stay on your credit report for at least seven years. The mark remains even after the statute of limitations expires.
Many people confuse the statute of limitations with credit reporting time limits. These are different legal concepts.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) mandates seven years minimum. Federal law makes this timeframe consistent across all states.
FCRA Section 605(a)(2) specifies the longer period controls. Seven years or your state’s statute of limitations applies, whichever is longer.
Your judgment appears for seven years even if your statute is shorter. After seven years, the judgment finally disappears from your report.
States with statutes longer than seven years extend the mark. The judgment stays for the full statute of limitations period.
California Example
Consider someone who lost a credit card lawsuit in California by default. The judgment damaged their credit score significantly.
California’s judgment statute of limitations is ten years. The judgment remains on their credit report for ten years, not seven.
Making payments doesn’t extend the credit reporting time limit. Don’t worry about payments extending the reporting period.
Disputing Credit Report Errors
Your credit report might show a judgment past its expiration date. You can dispute this error if you’ve paid or waited out the timeframe.
Identify which credit bureau has the error. Credit bureaus collect and maintain your credit information.
The three main bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Start the dispute process online, by mail, or by phone.
Credit Bureau Dispute Addresses
- Equifax: Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374
- Experian: P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
- TransUnion: TransUnion LLC Consumer Dispute Center, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
The bureau will correct the error quickly if your dispute succeeds. They’ll notify any company that viewed your report in the last six months.
Your Options When Facing a Judgment
You have several strategies to improve your situation despite major debt. Each option has specific advantages and considerations.
Wait for Judgment Expiration
You’re free if the statute expires without renewal. But creditors can collect through garnishment during the waiting period.
Collection laws protect your basic living needs. Creditors can’t take your home or your work vehicle.
They can only claim possessions above certain values. Garnishment has legal limits protecting you.
Waiting out the judgment is technically possible. Judgments accrue interest, giving creditors reason to persist.
Creditors sometimes renew judgments repeatedly waiting for better collection opportunities. Check your judgment status before major purchases.
Pay the Judgment
Paying stops interest accumulation immediately. You’ll start rebuilding your credit score sooner.
You’ll remove a huge mental and emotional burden. You can earn and buy without worrying about seizure.
Ensure the creditor files a Satisfaction of Judgment with the clerk’s office. You’ll be officially cleared of debt and any liens.
Payment restores your standing with the court. The court will make the creditor pay you if they don’t cooperate.
File for Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy offers a fresh start despite its negative connotation. It eliminates certain debt types completely.
Child support, tax debt, and student loans usually aren’t affected. Credit card debt and medical bills typically get wiped out.
Filing after a judgment may recover garnished wages. You can get back what you lost through wage garnishment.
Bankruptcy cancels the debt but not property liens. The lien remains even after debt discharge.
Bankruptcy stays on your credit report for ten years minimum. Judgments only require seven years on your report.
Respond to the Lawsuit
Responding to creditors initially is your most effective strategy. You can avoid lawsuits by sending a Debt Validation Letter.
Force collectors to prove you owe the exact amount claimed. You’re off the hook if they can’t validate the debt.
File a written Answer if you get sued after debt validation. Responding to the lawsuit is the #1 way to avoid judgment.
Our partner Solo helps you respond to debt lawsuits without hiring a lawyer. You can draft and file an Answer in minutes through their platform.