COLLECTING THE JUDGMENT

By Michelle Garcia Gilbert, Esq.

PERFECTING THE JUDGMENT AS A LIEN


• Form of final judgment
• Recordation of final judgment
• Recording location
• Docketing judgment lien, “new” procedures
• Duration of judgment lien index recording

DURATION AND REVIVAL OF JUDGMENTS (CHAPTER 55)

• 20 year rule
• Foreign judgments
• 10 year lien rule
• Revival of lien

INVESTIGATION OF DEBTOR’S ASSETS


• Public records
  a. Property Appraiser
  b. Tax Collector
  c. Clerk of Courts

INTERNAL RECORDS

• Credit Applications
• b. Credit Reports
• c. Prior Payments
• d. Financial Statements
• e. Online data bases

FORMAL DISCOVERY METHODS

a. Interrogatories
b. Depositions (debtor and others)
c. Request for Production
d. Compel and Contempt proceedings

GARNISHMENT

• Right to garnishment
• Procedures
• Answer and Reply


WAGE GARNISHMENT


• Head of Household exemption
• Federal limitation
• Competing Priority
• $500 excess rule
• Dissolution procedure
• Third party intervention


EXECUTION AGAINST REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY


• Property subject to levy
• Expenses of levy
• Procedures for sheriff levy
• Specific instructions
• Prior secured creditors
• Affidavit for sheriff
• Notice of sale
• Sale procedure


EXEMPTIONS FOR DEBTORS


• Homestead
• No value limitation
• Waiver ineffective
• Proceeds from sale exempt
• Devise to lineal heirs exempt

PERSONAL PROPERTY EXEMPTIONS

• $1000, cash or in kind
• $1000 car allowance
• Annuities
• Disability income
• Pension (3 month limitation)
• Florida Pre-Paid College Funds
• Health aids
• Tenancy by the entireties