I started a legal action to recover money in civil court and won. How do I now go about collecting?
If the judgment debtor (the person you sued) does not pay the money judgment, an enforcement officer — either the City Sheriff or a city marshal — may be able to help you collect it, but success cannot be guaranteed. A city marshal, if given the proper court document, called an Execution, by your attorney or the court clerk, has legal authority to collect part of the judgment debtor’s income, money, or other personal property to enforce your judgment. However, the marshal is not responsible to search for such assets; he or she will ask you where to find them. Also, the marshal must follow the law, including any statutes and court orders that limit the kinds and amount of income and property that may be taken to satisfy your money judgment. In Small Claims cases, the court clerk can give you a booklet that offers suggestions on how to increase your chances of collecting your judgment. Simply put, a successful collection requires teamwork — you tell the marshal where to find the judgm
