The Process Creditors Need to Go Through to Renew a Judgment in California

For a creditor to renew a judgment in California, they must follow the specific steps outlined by state law. These steps include:

  • Filing an application to renew the judgment with the court. This must be done prior to the expiration of the original judgment.
  • Providing notice to the debtor of the renewal of judgment. This can be done by mailing a copy of the motion to the debtor’s correct address.
  • There will be no hearing on the application to renew judgment. The court clerk will enter the renewal if the creditor’s documents appear complete..
  • When renewal of judgment is granted, the creditor will have an additional 10 years to collect on the judgment.
  • If you wish to fight renewal of judgment, you must file a motion to vacate the renewal within 30 days of receipt notice of renewal.
Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana downtown in California

What to Expect When a Renewal of Judgement
is Sought Against You

If you have received notice that a creditor is seeking a Renewal of Judgment against you, it is important to take action as soon as possible. The first step should be to contact a legal professional who can advise you on your options.

Negotiating a Payment Plan or Settlement

As a debt settlement law firm, one option that we can provide for you is to negotiate with the creditor to reach a payment plan or settlement. This can help to reduce the amount that you owe and may also help to prevent wage garnishment, bank levy, and other collection actions. It’s also important to keep in mind that if a renewal of judgment is granted, the creditor may be able to collect on the debt for an additional amount of time, which could make it more difficult to resolve the debt.

Contesting the Renewal of Judgement

Another option that we can provide for you is to contest the Renewal of Judgment by filing a motion with the court. This will require you to present evidence to the court that the Renewal of Judgment is not appropriate. This could include evidence that the debt has already been paid, that the original judgment was issued in error, or that the creditor’s request for a Renewal of Judgment is not in compliance with the state laws. The most common reason to contest (or vacate) renewal of judgment is that the original lawsuit summons was not delivered to you, preventing you from responding at the time.

Consequences of Not Acting

It’s also important to be aware of the consequences of not taking any action when a Renewal of Judgment is sought against you. If the court grants the Renewal of Judgment, the creditor will have the ability to continue to collect on the debt for an extended period of time. This may result in wage garnishment, bank levy, and other collection actions. Additionally, a Renewal of Judgment can prevent you from buying a home.

Turn Renewal of Judgement into an Opportunity

If you’re facing a Renewal of Judgment, it’s important to take action as soon as possible. And don’t hesitate to reach out to experienced attorneys like us. We can help you understand your options and guide you through the process of dealing with a Renewal of Judgment. We can help you prevent wage garnishment, bank levy and other negative consequences. Additionally, working with us can also turn this renewal of judgment into an opportunity for you. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and protect your rights.