In some cases, when a person owes money to a creditor or collection agency, a judgment may be issued against them in a different jurisdiction. This could involve another part of the United States or even a foreign country. For instance, if an international business owes money, a judgment may be issued against them in Europe, while collection efforts are pursued in the United States.
In these situations, the foreign judgment can sometimes be domesticated. This involves filing the appropriate paperwork with a court in the jurisdiction where the judgment will be enforced. Typically, the party seeking domestication must file both an affidavit and a certified copy of the judgment. Once the court approves the judgment in its jurisdiction, the collection process can proceed more efficiently.
Do you need a new ruling?
Generally, a new ruling is not required. This is one of the main advantages of domestication. The initial court process to obtain the judgment has already been completed, and it’s expected that other courts will honor that ruling. Domestication eliminates the need to go through the entire process again, allowing collection efforts to begin sooner.
What options are there for collecting on the debt?
In some cases, simply domesticating the judgment is enough to move the process forward. The debtor may liquidate assets or take other steps to repay the debt.
If the debtor still refuses or is unable to pay, additional measures may be necessary. For instance, the court may rule to garnish the debtor’s wages, using those funds to satisfy the outstanding debt. However, every situation is unique, so it’s crucial for those navigating this process to fully understand the legal steps available to them.