Judgments
Have you been hampered by a judgment on your credit or title search? Whether you are a Real Estate Professional, Loan Originator, or a homeowner / homebuyer, in most cases, judgments can be a roadblock to successfully finalizing a real estate transaction unless they are satisfied in advance. We have provided a state by state list of judgment requirements that could allow you to complete a transaction even though a judgment is present for one or more borrowers. If you have asked yourself any one of the questions below, the following list will educate you on whether you are required to satisfy your judgment, or if, Title Insurance can be issued regardless of the judgment. For questions please contact us and we will research your situation and advise you of your options.
Disclaimer: The terms and conditions listed are state specific requirements and can change without notice and may require additional stipulations. The information provided is gathered from external sources, therefore, Tier 1 Title, assumes no responsibility or liability in the accuracy of the information.
Below are frequently asked questions
JUDGMENT CLEARANCE |
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| Updated as of 9/18/14. | How Long Are Judgments Valid | Extension Periods | Tenancy By The Entirety | Purchase Money Mortgages Have Priority Over Judgments | ||
| Alabama | 10 years after date of execution | 1 -10 year period | Not Recognized | Yes | ||
| Alaska | 10 years after date of execution | After 5 years court must grant execution | No debt protection | No Only IRS Liens subordinate to PMM |
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| Arizona | 5 years after recording date | Unlimited renewals | Not Recognized | No | ||
| Arkansas | 10 years after date of execution | May be revived | No protection | Yes | ||
| California | 10 years after date of execution | 1-10 year period | Not Recognized | Yes | ||
| Colorado | 6 years after date of execution | Can be renewed for additional 6 year periods | Not Recognized | Yes | ||
| Connecticut | 20 years after date of execution | No extensions | Not Recognized | Yes | ||
| Delaware | 10 years after date of execution. | 1 – 10 year extension | Debt protection | Yes If mortgage is within 5 days of deed |
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| District of Columbia | 12 years after date of execution | 1 – 12 year period | No debt protection | Yes | ||
| Florida | 10 years after date of recording | 1 – 10 year period | Debt protection | Yes | ||
| Georgia | 7 years after date of execution | Unlimited 7 year renewals | Not Recognized | Yes | ||
| Hawaii | 10 years after date of execution | 1 – 10 year extension | Debt protection | No | ||
| Idaho | 5 years after date of execution | 1 – 5 year extension | Not Recognized | Yes | ||
| Illinois | 7 years after date of execution | 2 – 7 year periods max 20 yrs |
Debt protection | Yes | ||
| Indiana | 10 years after date of execution | Extended by court order only | Debt protection | Yes | ||
| Iowa | 10 years after date of execution | No extensions | Not Recognized | Yes | ||
| Kansas | 5 years after date of execution | May be revived if motion filed within 2 yrs of dormancy Court revives |
Not Recognized | Yes | ||
| Kentucky | 15 years after the date of recording | Can be extended | No debt protection | Yes, but not for equitable subrogation |
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| Louisiana | 10 years after date of execution | Multiple 10 year renewal periods | Not Recognized | No | ||
| Maine | 20 years after date of recording | 1 – 20 year renewal | Not Recognized | No | ||
| Maryland | 12 years from date of execution | 1 – 12 year extension period | Debt protection | Yes, Mtg must say that it is PMM |
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| Massachusetts | 6 years after recording lien | Can be renewed for additional 6 years periods | Recognized | No | ||
| Michigan | 5 years after date of recording | 1 – 5 year ext, if re-rec’d within 120 days of expiration | Debt protection | Yes | ||
| Minnesota | 10 years after date of execution | Renewable before judgment expires | Not Recognized | Yes | ||
| Mississippi | 7 years after date of execution | 1 – 7 yr period, if re-filed within 6 months after expiration | Debt protection | Yes | ||
| Missouri | Prior to 8/28/98 = 3 yrs On or after 8/28/98 = 10 yrs |
May be renewed for multiple extension periods | Debt protection | Yes | ||
| Montana | 10 years after date of execution | Judgments can be extended | Debt protection | Yes | ||
| Nebraska | 5 years after date of execution | Can be revived within 10 years of becoming dormant | Not Recognized | Yes | ||
| Nevada | 6 years after recording date | Multiple renewals Aff must be rec’d within 90 days of expiration |
Not Recognized | Yes | ||
| New Hampshire | 16 years after date of execution | No extensions | Debt protection | No | ||
| New Jersey | 20 years after date of execution | 20 yr ext must be filed prior to original expiring |
No debt protection | Yes | ||
| New Mexico | 14 years after date of execution | 1 – 7 year extension | Not Recognized | No | ||
| New York | 10 years after date of execution | 1 – 10 year period | No debt protection | Yes | ||
| North Carolina | 10 years after date of execution | Can be extended indefinitely if filed before original judgment expires | Debt protection | Yes | ||
| North Dakota | 10 years after date of execution | 1 – 10 year extension period | Not Recognized | Yes | ||
| Ohio | 5 years after date of recording | Can be extended for multiple 5 yr extensions, if filed prior to expiration | Not Recognized Repealed 1985 If created pre-85 still valid |
Yes | ||
| Oklahoma | 5 years after date of recording | Can be extended | No debt protection | Yes | ||
| Oregon | 10 yrs from date execution Criminal Judge 20 yrs if after 1/15/98 50 yrs if after 1/1/06 |
1 – 10 year extension | No debt protection | Yes | ||
| Pennsylvania | 5 years after date of execution | Can be extended for 5 year periods | Debt protect on sale only. Refi must obtain release |
Yes | ||
| Rhode Island | 20 years after date of execution | No extensions | No debt protection | No | ||
| South Carolina | 10 years after date of execution | No extensions | Not Recognized | Yes | ||
| South Dakota | 10 years after date of execution | May be extended for 10 year period | Not Recognized | Yes | ||
| Tennessee | Prior to 5/17/00, good for 3 years. After 5/17/00, good for 10 years from date of execution | No extensions | Limited protection Treat as no debt protection |
Yes | ||
| Texas | 10 years after recording abstract of judgment | Can be revived by action brought within 2 yrs of judgment becoming dormant | Not Recognized | Yes | ||
| Utah | 8 years after date of execution | No debt protection | Yes | |||
| Vermont | 8 years after issuance of FJ that judgment is based on | May be renewed for 8 year ext’s relates back to recording original lien |
Debt protection but can be attached for debt incurred by husband for “necessary upkeep” of property | No | ||
| Virginia | 20 years for Circuit Ct or judgment for Virginia 10 years for District Ct |
May be extended for a 20 year period | Debt protection | Yes | ||
| Washington | 10 years after date of execution | 1 – 10 yr period, if filed with 90 days of expiration | Not Recognized | No | ||
| West Virginia | 10 years after date of execution. However, if against current owner can still be valid after 10 yrs | Extended for add’l 10 yr periods, if filed prior to expiration | Not Recognized | Yes | ||
| Wisconsin | 10 years after date of Entry |
No extensions | Not Recognized | Yes | ||
| Wyoming | 5 years after date of execution |
Debt protection | Yes | |||