Money & Debt

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How long does a judgment last?

Judgments, unless they fall into an exception below, live in 7 year installments. But with the right timing, a judgment can be enforced for 27 years.  

After a judgment is entered, the person who is owed the money, called the "creditor," can enforce the judgment for 7 years. However, the creditor can file a Petition to Revive, and serve it on the person who owes the money (the "debtor"), and get another 7 years. 

The creditor must file the Petition to Revive within 20 years of the entry of the judgment. That's why the longest a judgment can be enforced is 27 years.

Example: A judgment is entered July 1, 2020. If the creditor does nothing, it expires on July 1, 2027. If the creditor files a Petition to Revive in early 2040, they could get another 7 years, running to 2047. 

Consumer judgments

If the judgment is for consumer goods or services (not bodily injury or death), it can only be revived once, 10 years after it is entered.

Child support judgments

Child support judgments last forever.

Last full review by a subject matter expert
October 12, 2023
Last revised by staff
October 12, 2023

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