In Georgia, obtaining a judgment is only half the battle — collecting on it is where the real challenge begins. The state provides several post-judgment tools, but strict timelines, debtor defenses, and procedural hurdles often make enforcement difficult.
A specialized agency like Debt Collectors International, Inc. can provide the experience and structure needed to turn your court victory into real payment.

The Georgia Judgment Enforcement Process

1. Confirm Finality and Validity

Once all appeals or post-trial motions are resolved, the judgment becomes enforceable.
Georgia judgments are valid for seven years but can be revived within three additional years through a writ of scire facias before becoming permanently dormant.

2. Docket and Record the Judgment

Recording the judgment in the debtor’s county creates a lien against their real property.
To reach property in other counties, certified copies can be recorded elsewhere, establishing liens in multiple jurisdictions.
Out-of-state creditors may domesticate their judgments under the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act, making them enforceable in Georgia.

3. Conduct Post-Judgment Discovery

Georgia law permits creditors to compel disclosure of assets through interrogatories, depositions, or third-party subpoenas.
Noncompliance can lead to contempt, allowing creditors to apply pressure for disclosure and payment.

4. Use Enforcement Remedies

The primary enforcement tool in Georgia is the Writ of Fieri Facias (Fi. Fa.), authorizing the sheriff to seize and sell the debtor’s property.
Creditors can also file for bank or wage garnishments, allowing recovery directly from employers or financial institutions. Continuing wage garnishments typically deduct funds over several months until the judgment is satisfied.

5. Revive Dormant Judgments

If seven years pass without collection activity, the judgment becomes dormant. Creditors can revive it within three years, after which enforcement resumes. Failure to act within this window extinguishes collection rights.

6. Domesticate in Other States if Needed

If a debtor relocates or acquires assets outside Georgia, the judgment can be domesticated in those jurisdictions for continued enforcement.

Common Challenges in Georgia

Creditors often face similar hurdles during judgment enforcement:

• Limited knowledge of the Fi. Fa. and garnishment process
• Debtors transferring or hiding assets
• Procedural missteps and missed deadlines
• The high administrative cost of pursuing small judgments
• Multi-jurisdiction complications when debtors relocate

How Debt Collectors International, Inc. Simplifies the Process

Debt Collectors International, Inc. offers comprehensive services designed to remove the burden of enforcement from creditors.

Key benefits include:

• Professional Enforcement Team: Experts in Fi. Fa. filings, garnishments, and judgment revival.
• Cross-State Capabilities: Seamless domestication and enforcement across U.S. jurisdictions.
• Efficiency at Scale: Reduces cost per case through standardized, high-volume operations.
• Contingency-Based Collection: Payment tied to performance, not process.
• Ongoing Asset Monitoring: Continuous research to identify and act on new debtor assets.
• Legal Coordination: Collaboration with experienced counsel to handle challenges and objections swiftly.

In Georgia, effective judgment enforcement requires persistence, precision, and legal understanding. Many creditors stop after winning in court — but without follow-through, judgments remain unpaid.
By partnering with Debt Collectors International, Inc., creditors gain access to a proven system that converts judgments into recovered funds and provides peace of mind throughout the enforcement process.