Only the Sheriff has the authority to physically remove you from your home. Your landlord can never force you to move out or lock you out of your home. If you are locked out of your apartment by your landlord, see our information on getting locked out.

Evictions are generally scheduled in order of filing and are separated into geographical areas. On the day of enforcement of the eviction order, the Sheriff’s personnel will remove all persons evicted from the premises but will not remove personal property. The Sheriff’s personnel will then tender possession of the real property to the landlord or the landlord’s representative and post a “No Trespassing” order on the door to the premises. The landlord can then take your belongings out of the premises and leave them outside.

Eviction procedure changes from county to county, so contact your Sheriff's office to find out what their process is. Some Sheriff offices will allow you more time to move out if you have special needs or disabilities.

If an eviction is likely to proceed, you can document the process, take pictures of your belongings, and make a list of your personal property. This can be useful in case of damage or disputes over property left behind. You can also start exploring temporary housing alternatives including shelters.

For more information about your particular county:

• In Alexander County, the Sheriff removes the tenant on date ordered by the judge.
• In Clay County, the Sheriff removes the tenant on the date ordered by the judge.
• In Edwards County, the Sheriff removes the tenants on any date they have staff available after the judge has ordered.
• In Gallatin County, the landlord brings the order to the Sheriff, and the Sheriff removes the tenants that day.
• In Jackson County, the Sheriff's office will send out a letter to you stating that the Sheriff has the order. The letter will have the date they will come and remove you and your belongings.
• In Jefferson County, the landlord contacts the Sheriff, and they coordinate a date to remove the tenants.
• In Madison County, once the landlord asks the Sheriff to enforce an eviction order, the Sheriff will usually post one last notice on the door stating when you will be forcefully evicted if you do not move. You will usually be required to move very quickly after the notice is posted.
• In Marion County, the Sheriff removes the tenants on the date ordered by the judge.
• In Massac County, the Sheriff removes the tenant on the date ordered by the judge, if the landlord requests.
• In Perry County, the landlord contacts the Sheriff, and together they schedule a date to remove the tenants on or after the date ordered by the judge.
• In Pope County, the Sheriff removes the tenant based on what the landlord wants, from 5 to 30 days after the date the judge ordered.
• In Pulaski County, the Sheriff usually serves and enforces the eviction order on the day ordered by the judge.
• In Union County, the Sheriff will come talk to you on the court ordered move out date. But they will not move you out that day. The Sheriff will give you a reasonable amount of time to move out, usually about a week. If you are not moved out by then, they will move you out at that time.
• In Wabash County, the Sheriff removes the tenants on any date they have staff available after the judge has ordered.
• In Wayne County, the Sheriff removes the tenants on any date they have staff available after the judge has ordered.
• In White County, the Sheriff removes the tenant on the date ordered by the judge.

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