How to Collect Your Judgment in Minnesota

A Minnesota judgment is enforceable for 10 years, and can be renewed before it expires. A judgment is enforceable for 10 years from entry (Minn. Stat. § 541.04; § 548.09 lien continues 10 years). To extend, the creditor must commence a NEW action on the judgment for failure to pay before the 10 years expire (there is no simple renewal-by-affidavit; you sue on the judgment to obtain a new judgment).

Yes. Garnishment in Minnesota can reach Lesser of 25% of disposable earnings OR the amount by which disposable earnings exceed 40x the greater of the federal or Minnesota minimum hourly wage. Exemptions: Minn. Stat. § 571.922: protect the greater of 75% of disposable earnings (i.e., garnish at most 25%) or 40x the federal/state minimum wage. Wages deposited in a bank within the last 20 days retain protection (greater of 75% of wages or 40x federal minimum wage). Debtor claims exemptions via the Debtor's Exemption Claim Notice.

Through Order for Disclosure / Financial Disclosure (post-judgment debtor disclosure) (JGM301 (Financial Disclosure form); creditor may seek an Order for Disclosure to compel debtor's employer/asset information) — the court orders the debtor to appear and disclose their assets under oath. After docketing the judgment, the creditor serves a disclosure demand; the debtor must complete and return the Financial Disclosure (JGM301). If the debtor fails to disclose, the creditor may obtain an Order for Disclosure compelling the information.

Docket the judgment with the court administrator in the county. For abstract (non-Torrens) real property, docketing automatically creates the lien on all real property the debtor owns (or later acquires) in that county. For Torrens property, file a certified copy with the County Recorder / Registrar of Titles (fees apply). (Minn. Stat. § 548.09.) The lien lasts 10 years.

You pay the court and sheriff their own filing/levy fees directly (usually modest, and recoverable from the debtor). Our Judgment Collection service is a flat $299 — we prepare your Minnesota-specific enforcement forms and a step-by-step filing playbook; you file them. Compared with collection firms that take 33–50% of what they recover, that's hundreds to thousands less on a typical judgment.

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 10 years and is renewable) and try again when their situation changes. We give you the tools, not a guaranteed payout.