US-CaliforniaHow do I collect a small claims judgment?
After winning a small claims judgment in California, you must enforce it yourself using tools like wage garnishment, bank levies, or property liens — the court does not collect for you.
What the Law Says
California law gives judgment creditors several legal tools to collect unpaid small claims judgments. These remedies are governed by the Code of Civil Procedure and apply uniformly across all civil judgments — including small claims.
A small claims judgment in California is enforceable for 10 years from the date it’s entered (Code of Civil Procedure § 683.020). You can renew it for another 10 years if you file before the initial period expires (§ 683.120).
To collect, you may serve a wage garnishment (earnings withholding order) after waiting 180 days post-judgment unless the debtor agrees otherwise (§ 706.026). You may also levy on bank accounts (§ 700.010–700.180), place a lien on real property using an Abstract of Judgment (§ 674), or seize personal property (§ 699.030).
Before enforcing, you may require the debtor to attend a court-ordered debtor examination (also called a 'judgment debtor examination') to discover assets (§ 708.110). The debtor must appear and answer questions under oath about income, bank accounts, vehicles, and other property.
Statutory TextA money judgment may be enforced until the date 10 years after the entry of judgment.
— Code of Civil Procedure, § 683.020 — Duration of judgment
Statutory TextThe judgment creditor may renew a judgment for an additional period of 10 years by filing an application for renewal...
— Code of Civil Procedure, § 683.120 — Renewal of judgment
Statutory TextAn earnings withholding order shall not be served on the employer of the judgment debtor until 180 days after the date of entry of judgment...
— Code of Civil Procedure, § 706.026 — Timing of earnings withholding order
What to Do
File an Application for Renewal of Judgment (Form EJ-190) before the 10-year deadline if you haven’t collected in full.
Obtain an Abstract of Judgment (Form EJ-001), record it with the county recorder where the debtor owns real estate to create a lien.
Serve a Wage Garnishment (Form WG-001) on the debtor’s employer after 180 days — or sooner if the debtor consents in writing.
Request a Debtor’s Examination (Form SC-135) to uncover hidden assets; the court will schedule a hearing and issue a subpoena.
Hire a licensed collection agency or attorney only if the debt is large enough to justify fees — remember, small claims prohibits attorneys at trial, but they *can* help with enforcement.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.