How to Collect Your Judgment in Indiana

A Indiana judgment is enforceable for 20 years, and can be renewed before it expires. The underlying judgment is enforceable for 20 years (IC 34-11-2-12: a judgment is satisfied/presumed paid after 20 years). The judgment LIEN on real estate lasts only 10 years from entry (IC 34-55-9-2). After 10 years (or after an execution issues), the creditor must obtain leave of court to execute (IC 34-55-1-2). The judgment is not 'renewed' in the dormancy sense, but enforcement past 10 years requires court leave.

Yes. Garnishment in Indiana can reach Lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings, or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30x the federal minimum wage ($217.50/wk at $7.25). On a showing of good cause the court may reduce the amount, but not below 10% of disposable earnings.. Exemptions: Disposable-earnings basis; benefit income (Social Security, unemployment, workers' comp, public assistance, most pensions) is exempt. Indiana also has a debtor's personal-property exemption that can shield some property/funds.

Through Proceedings Supplemental to Execution (debtor examination) (Verified Motion for Proceedings Supplemental, under Indiana Trial Rule 69(E)) — the court orders the debtor to appear and disclose their assets under oath. Creditor files a verified motion (or affidavit) for proceedings supplemental in the court that rendered the judgment, alleging ownership of the judgment and no cause to believe execution alone will satisfy it (Trial Rule 69(E)). The court orders the debtor to appear and answer under oath about income and assets; third parties (garnishee-defendants) can be joined.

A final money judgment of a circuit/superior court (or any court of record of general jurisdiction) automatically becomes a lien on the debtor's real estate in the county where the judgment is entered and indexed in the judgment docket (IC 34-55-9-2). To reach property in another county, deliver/mail a certified copy of the judgment to that county's clerk for entry in its judgment docket. The lien lasts 10 years.

You pay the court and sheriff their own filing/levy fees directly — usually modest, and recoverable from the debtor on top of your judgment. If you hand the case to a judgment-recovery firm or collections attorney instead, expect them to take 33–50% of whatever they recover; doing it yourself with Indiana's own forms keeps everything you collect.

Some debtors are "judgment-proof" — no job, no bank account, no equity — and no tool can squeeze money that isn't there. The honest play is the debtor's exam to confirm what exists, then keep the judgment alive (it lasts 20 years and is renewable) and try again when their situation changes. We give you the tools, not a guaranteed payout.