Collecting Your Judgment in Washington County
You won in Rhode Island — now let's get you paid. Here's how judgment collection works in Washington County, and where to file locally.
Where to file in Washington County
Local court
McGrath Judicial Complex - Washington County District Court
4800 Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879
(401) 782-4121
Who enforces the order
The Washington County sheriff/marshal carries out levies and wage withholding once the court issues your order. Real-estate liens are recorded with the county recorder where the property sits.
Your collection options
These follow Rhode Island law. See the full Rhode Island guide for forms, fees, and deadlines.
Debtor's asset exam
Supplementary proceedings (examination of judgment debtor) / debtor's examination citation
Wage garnishment
Form Trustee process (G.L. ch. 10-5) - obtained by motion for permission to make a wage attachment after judgment/supplementary process; writs returnable to court (typically 30 days) and served on each payday.Up to 25% of disposable earnings (federal CCPA cap). RI floor: wages are exempt if the debtor earns 30x federal minimum wage or less; between 30x and 40x, only the amount over 30x is reachable; above 40x, the first 75% is exempt and 25% reachable.
Bank levy
Form Trustee process under R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 10-5 (attachment of goods, chattels, and credits in the hands of a trustee, including a bank).Trustee process / attachment of goods, effects, and credits (bank account)
Property lien
A money judgment is not an automatic statewide lien. The creditor obtains an execution and levies on the debtor's real estate (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 9-26); recording the levied execution in the land evidence records of the city/town where the property sits creates the lien. The execution/levy is a lien on the real estate.
Doing it yourself in Washington County
Rhode Island's enforcement forms are built for self-represented creditors, and the court and sheriff fees are modest and usually recoverable from the debtor. If you'd rather hand it off entirely, judgment-recovery firms and collections attorneys typically charge 33–50% of what they recover.
Washington County Judgment Collection FAQ
Most enforcement paperwork is filed with the court that entered your judgment. In Washington County, that is typically McGrath Judicial Complex - Washington County District Court, 4800 Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879 ((401) 782-4121). A lien on real estate is recorded with the county recorder/clerk where the property sits.
The Washington County sheriff (or marshal/constable, depending on the county) carries out levies and wage withholding once the court issues the order. Contact their civil division for the current levy fee — it's a modest, recoverable cost, and the steps below cover when to pay it.
No — judgment collection isn't a service we offer. This guide covers the do-it-yourself path for Washington County step by step. If you'd rather hand it off, judgment-recovery firms and collections attorneys typically charge 33–50% of what they recover.
Nearby counties in Rhode Island
General information about collecting a money judgment in Washington County, Rhode Island — not legal advice. Court locations, fees, and procedures change; confirm current requirements with the local court before filing.
Have a different dispute that needs filing?
Collection isn't a service we offer — but if someone else owes you money, we prepare and file small claims cases for a flat $299 and draft demand letters for $149. Tell us what happened.
100% refund if we don't file your case
Prefer to talk it through? Call or text (424) 358-4927.