Why do I need this if I already won?
Winning the case is half the battle. The court doesn't collect for you — it just hands you a piece of paper that says the defendant owes you money. Roughly 50% of small-claims winners never actually collect because they don't know the next steps. This plan walks you through them.
What's in the Collection Plan?
A personalized sequence of enforcement steps for your state — debtor exam, wage garnishment, bank levy, writ of execution, abstract of judgment — with the exact form codes, fees, and links to the PDFs. Plus your state's exemption catalog (what the defendant gets to keep), the defendant's claim-of-exemption playbook, satisfaction-of-judgment instructions, the judgment renewal deadline, and your county's self-help center contact.
What if the defendant has no money?
Judgments stay enforceable for years (typically 10 to 20, varies by state). The plan tells you your state's renewal interval so you can refile before yours expires. Recording the judgment as a lien against real estate is one of the included steps — once recorded, it follows the defendant and attaches to property they may buy or sell down the road.
Do I need a lawyer to enforce a judgment?
No. Every collection mechanism — judgment-debtor exam, levy, garnishment, lien — is available to self-represented plaintiffs. The forms exist for non-lawyers. The plan tells you which form, which fee, and what order to file them.
How long does collection take?
Varies wildly. Wage garnishment on an employed defendant can start paying within 60 days. A bank levy on a known account can produce funds within 30 days. A judgment lien against real estate may not produce money until the defendant sells the property, which could be years.
What about interest?
Most states accrue post-judgment interest at 6% to 10% per year on unpaid amounts. The plan covers your state's rate and how to claim accrued interest when you do collect.
Can I use this if I won outside small claims?
Yes for most US civil judgments. The mechanics of post-judgment collection are largely the same across small claims, district court, and superior court. The plan focuses on small-claims judgments but the steps apply to most civil money judgments under $25,000.
Is CivilCase a law firm?
No. We're a document-preparation service, not a law firm, and we don't provide legal advice. The Collection Plan is informational — based on public court rules and statutes — to help you enforce your judgment.