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Florida Judgment Enforcement Specialist - Judgments Don't Pay Themselves
Belua Capital
Florida Judgment Enforcement Specialist
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Home · Collect Unpaid Judgment

Collect an Unpaid Judgment in Florida

To collect an unpaid Florida judgment, identify the debtor, verify the final judgment, locate non-exempt assets, record available liens, and use lawful enforcement tools. Common tools include bank garnishment, wage garnishment, writs of execution, post-judgment discovery, and proceedings supplementary. Asset location controls the enforcement path.

The 8-Step Florida Judgment Recovery Process

  1. 1

    Obtain a Certified Copy of the Final Judgment

    Confirm the judgment is final and not subject to appeal. Order a certified copy from the clerk of the issuing court. The certified copy is required for lien recording and most enforcement filings.

  2. 2

    Record Judgment Liens

    File a Judgment Lien Certificate with the Florida Department of State for personal property liens under §55.202, F.S. Record the certified copy of the judgment in the county official records for real property liens under §55.10, F.S.

  3. 3

    Serve the Fact Information Sheet (Form 7.343)

    Under Florida Rules of Civil Procedure Form 7.343, the debtor must complete and return a sworn disclosure of accounts, employer, vehicles, real property, and other assets. Failure to comply can result in contempt proceedings.

  4. 4

    Conduct Asset Investigation

    Locate bank accounts, wages, vehicles, real estate, and business interests through public records, post-judgment discovery, and licensed-investigator-only databases. Asset quality controls which enforcement tools make sense.

  5. 5

    File Writ of Garnishment

    Target bank accounts or wages with a writ of garnishment. Verify head-of-family exemption risk under §222.11, F.S., before filing against wages — earnings at or below $750 per week are protected for a qualifying head of family.

  6. 6

    File Writ of Execution

    The sheriff levies on non-exempt personal or real property. Coordinate with the county sheriff's civil process division. Execution against real property is preceded by a recorded judgment lien.

  7. 7

    File Proceedings Supplementary (§56.29, F.S.)

    Reaches fraudulently transferred assets and third-party recipients. Authorized under §56.29, F.S. Useful when the debtor has transferred assets to family, business associates, or successor entities to avoid collection.

  8. 8

    Renew Before Expiration

    Florida judgments are enforceable for 20 years from the judgment date under §55.081, F.S. Lien rights must be preserved or renewed under §55.10, F.S. — first lien expires after 10 years unless renewed within the statutory window.

People Also Ask

How do I collect a judgment in Florida?

To collect a Florida judgment, confirm the judgment is final, record available liens, locate non-exempt assets, and use court-authorized tools: garnishment, writs of execution, post-judgment discovery, and proceedings supplementary. The enforcement path depends on known assets and exemption risk.

Can a creditor garnish a bank account in Florida?

Yes. A Florida judgment creditor can seek a writ of garnishment against a bank account, but the debtor receives statutory notice and may claim exemptions. Verify the debtor, bank, and account activity before filing to avoid wasted enforcement filings.

Can wages be garnished in Florida?

Yes, but §222.11, F.S., protects head-of-family disposable earnings at or below $750 per week. Higher earnings remain protected unless a written waiver applies. Exempt wages deposited in a bank account are protected for 6 months if traceable to the source.

What assets are exempt from judgment collection in Florida?

Florida exempts homestead property, head-of-family wages under §222.11, qualified retirement accounts, life insurance cash value, annuities, prepaid college funds, certain personal property up to $1,000, and additional categories under Article X §4 of the Florida Constitution.

What if the debtor has no assets?

A judgment with no reachable assets may not be immediately collectible. Lien recording, asset monitoring, post-judgment discovery, and periodic enforcement review preserve pressure while avoiding wasted filings against exempt or nonexistent assets. Asset profiles change over time.

Can a closed business still owe a judgment?

A closed or dissolved business can still be connected to a judgment debt. Recovery depends on remaining assets, transfers to successor entities, personal guarantors, and court-authorized remedies including proceedings supplementary under §56.29, F.S. for transferred assets.

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About the Licensed Specialist. Belua Capital is operated by a Florida Private Investigator License C 2700700 Florida Remote Online Notary W882582. Belua Capital is a managed affiliate of ArcXet Group. Information on this site is for general educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Engagements are governed by a written agreement specifying fees, costs, and assignment terms. Information on this site is for general educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Engagements are governed by a written agreement specifying fees, costs, and assignment terms.

Last reviewed: April 2026 · Florida judgment interest rate Q2 2026: 8.25% per annum, simple, under §55.03, F.S.