Judgment Expiration by State 2025
Colorado
20
Connecticut
20
District of Columbia
20
Florida
20
Indiana
20
Iowa
20
Maine
20
Massachusetts
20
New Hampshire
20
New Jersey
20
Rhode Island
20
Virginia
20
Kentucky
15
New Mexico
14
Maryland
12
Alabama
10
Arizona
10
Arkansas
10
California
10
Delaware
10
Hawaii
10
Idaho
10
Louisiana
10
Minnesota
10
Missouri
10
Montana
10
New York
10
North Carolina
10
North Dakota
10
Oregon
10
South Carolina
10
South Dakota
10
Tennessee
10
Texas
10
Washington
10
West Virginia
10
Wisconsin
10
Utah
8
Vermont
8
Georgia
7
Illinois
7
Mississippi
7
Nevada
6
Alaska
5
Kansas
5
Michigan
5
Nebraska
5
Ohio
5
Oklahoma
5
Pennsylvania
5
Wyoming
5
State | Judgment Valid Years↓ | Additional Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Colorado | 20 | A judgment may be revived within twenty years. Colo. R. Civ. P. 54. Any revived judgment may itself be revived in the same manner. Id.; see Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-52-102(2)(a) (twenty years to execute unless revived); but see Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-52-102(2)(b)(I) and (II) (referencing 6 years to execute a county court judgment and restitution judgments that can be executed on at any time until paid). Generally, a lien of judgment expires six years after the entry of judgment unless revived. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-52-102(a). |
 | Connecticut | 20 | A judgment lien expires twenty years after the judgment was rendered, unless the party claiming the lien commences an action to foreclose. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-380a. |
 | District of Columbia | 20 | A final judgment is enforceable for twelve years. D.C. Code § 15-101. An order of revival extends the effect of the judgment for another twelve years from the date of the revival order. D.C. Code § 15-103. |
 | Florida | 20 | A judgment lien on real or personal property expires after 20 years. Fla. Stat. § 55.081. |
 | Indiana | 20 | Judgments are presumed to be satisfied after 20 years, however, the presumption is rebuttable upon showing nonpayment. Ind. Code § 34-11-2-12, Lewis v. Rex Metal Craft, Inc., 831 N.E.2d 812 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). All final judgments constitute a lien upon real estate, subject to execution for 10 years. Ind. Code § 34-55-9-2. |
 | Iowa | 20 | Judgments are valid for a period of twenty years. Iowa Code § 614.1. Judgments are liens upon the real estate owned by the defendant for a period of ten years from the date of the judgment. Iowa Code § 624.23 |
 | Maine | 20 | A judgment lien continues for a period of 20 years from the date of the filing of the writ of execution, and the lien may be renewed once for a period of 20 years. Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 4651-A. |
 | Massachusetts | 20 | A judgment is presumed to be paid and satisfied at the expiration of twenty years after it was rendered. Mass. Gen. Laws 260 § 20. The presumption is rebuttable, not an absolute bar to an action on the judgment. Brown v. Greenlow, 111 N.E.2d 744 (1953). |
 | New Hampshire | 20 | Actions of debt upon judgments must be brought within 20 years. N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:5. |
 | New Jersey | 20 | A judgment is valid for a period of twenty years, but can be renewed within the twenty year period by the filing of a notice with the court clerk. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:14-5. |
 | Rhode Island | 20 | A lien executed against real property is deemed discharged after twenty years from the date of the judgment. R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-33. |
 | Virginia | 20 | A judgment is a lien on real estate. VA Code Ann. § 8.01-458. A judgment is enforceable for a twenty-year period from the date it is rendered. VA Code Ann. § 8.01-251(A). A creditor may prevent expiration of his judgment lien by making a motion to extend within the twenty-year period. VA Code Ann. § 8.01-251(B). |
 | Kentucky | 15 | An action upon a judgment must be commenced within fifteen years from the date of the last execution. Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.090. |
 | New Mexico | 14 | A judgment is a lien on the real estate of the judgment debtor and expires after fourteen years. N.M. Stat. § 39-1-6. |
 | Maryland | 12 | A judgment is valid for a period of twelve years, but can be renewed with the filing of a notice with the court clerk. Md. Rule 3-625. |
 | Alabama | 10 | A judgment is valid for ten years. Ala. Code § 6-9-1. It may be revived after that, although there is a presumption the judgment has been satisfied. Ala. Code § 6-9-191. A judgment cannot be revived after 20 years. Ala. Code § 6-9-190. |
 | Arizona | 10 | A judgment may be filed in each county where the judgment creditor desires the judgment to become a lien. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-961. Ajudgment holder may have a writ of execution issued within ten years after the entry of judgment and within ten years after any renewal. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-1551(B). |
 | Arkansas | 10 | Judgments must be acted upon within ten years. Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-114. Any payment made towards the judgment or writ of execution on the judgment will toll the statute. Id. Judgments in the Arkansas Supreme Court, Arkansas Circuit Court, United States district courts or United States Bankruptcy courts are a lien on real estate owned by the defendant in the county of the judgment. Ark. Code Ann. § 16-65-117. Judgment liens on land can only be revived by scire farcias as outlined in Ark. Code Ann. § 16-65-501. |
 | California | 10 | A judgment and any lien created by an execution on the judgment expires ten years after the date of the entry of the judgment. Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 683.020. |
 | Delaware | 10 | A judgment lien expires after 10 years unless renewed for a further 10- year term. Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 4711. |
 | Hawaii | 10 | Any judgment is presumed to be paid and discharged ten years after the judgment was rendered, however, a motion to extend judgment will renew the judgment for a period of ten years if sought within ten years from the initial judgment. Haw. Rev. Stat. §657-5. No judgment will be extended beyond twenty years from the date of the original judgment. |
 | Idaho | 10 | A lien resulting from a judgment continues for ten years. Idaho Code § 10-1110. The judgment may be renewed and the lien continued for an additional ten years. Idaho Code § 10-1111. |
 | Louisiana | 10 | Generally, judgments expire after ten years. La Code Civ. Proc. Ann. art. 3501. A judgment may be revived by filing a motion with the court prior to the expiration of the original judgment. La. Code Civ. Proc. Ann. art. 2031. |
 | Minnesota | 10 | A judgment may be enforced for ten years from date of entry. Minn. Stat. § 550.01. |
 | Missouri | 10 | A judgment lien continues for a period of ten years. Mo. Sup. Ct. R. § 74.08. A judgment may be revived by order of the court within ten years of the entry or last revival. Mo. Sup. Ct. R. § 74.09. |
 | Montana | 10 | An action upon a judgment must be commenced within ten years. Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-201. If before the ten years runs, the judgment holder files a separate action on the judgment, he may obtain a new judgment. Jones v. Arnold, 900 P.2d 917 (Mont. 1995). |
 | New York | 10 | A judgment lien is valid for ten years. N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 5203. An action to renew the judgment may be commenced within the year prior to the expiration of the 10 years. N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 5014. A judgment is conclusively presumed to be paid and satisfied after 20 years, except in limited circumstances set forth in N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 211. |
 | North Carolina | 10 | A judgment is a lien on real property for ten years from the entry date. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-234. A motion to revive a dormant judgment may be brought as an independent action. Lilly v. West, 1 S.E. 834 (N.C. 1887). |
 | North Dakota | 10 | A judgment is a lien on all real property for a period of ten years. N.D. Cent. Code § 28-20-13. A judgment may renewed by affidavit at any time within ninety days preceding the expiration of ten years from the first docketing of the original judgment. N.D. Cent. Code § 28-20-21. |
 | Oregon | 10 | Generally, judgment remedies expire after 10 years of the entry of the judgment. Or. Rev. Stat. § 18.180. However, judgment remedies may be extended for 10 years by filing a certificate of extension. Or. Rev. Stat. § 18.182. |
 | South Carolina | 10 | Final judgments create a lien upon real estate for a period of ten years. S.C. Code Ann. § 15-35-810. |
 | South Dakota | 10 | A judgment becomes a lien on real property for a period of 10 years. S.D. Codified Laws § 15-16-7. A judgment may be renewed for an additional period of ten years. S.D. Codified Laws § 15-16-35. |
 | Tennessee | 10 | A judgment is enforceable for a period of ten years. Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-110. A judgment creditor may renew their judgment by filing a motion within the ten-year period. Tenn. R.C.P. 69.04 |
 | Texas | 10 | A judgment becomes dormant and unenforceable if not executed within ten years. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 34.001. A dormant judgment may be revived within two years after the judgment became dormant. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 31.006. |
 | Washington | 10 | A judgment expires ten years from the date of entry. Wash. Rev. Code § 4.56.190. The judgment can be extended for an additional ten year period by filing within ninety days of the expiration of the ten year period. Wash. Rev. Code § 6.17.020(3). |
 | West Virginia | 10 | A judgment creates a lien on all the real estate. W.Va. Code § 38-3-6. The lien will continue for 10 years from the date of entry. W.Va. Code § 38-3-7. The judgment may be renewed for an additional 10 years. |
 | Wisconsin | 10 | A judgment creates a lien on all real property for 10 years from the date of entry. Wis. Stat. § 806.15. In order to renew, the judgment creditor must obtain permission from the court and refile an action against the judgment debtor within 20 years. Wis. Stat. §§ 806.23; 893.40; 893.415. An execution on a judgment may be issued, if proper steps are taken, for 20 years. Wis. Stat. § 815.04. |
 | Utah | 8 | A judgment creates a lien upon real property and continues for eight years. Utah Code Ann. § 78B-5-202. A motion to renew the judgment will extend the judgment for an additional eight years. Utah Code Ann. § 78B-6-1802. |
 | Vermont | 8 | A judgment constitutes a lien on any real property of a judgment debtor. 12 Vt. Stat. Ann. § 2901. A judgment lien is effective for 8 years from the issuance of a final judgment. 12 Vt. Stat. Ann. § 2903. An action for the renewal or revival of a judgment must be brought within 8 years after the rendition of the judgment. 12 Vt. Stat. Ann. § 506 |
 | Georgia | 7 | A judgment becomes dormant and unenforceable when seven years lapse after the granting of the judgment, but may be revived by an additional entry within seven years from the initial judgment. Ga. Code Ann. § 9-12-60. |
 | Illinois | 7 | A judgment is a lien on real estate for 7 years from the time it is entered or revived. 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/12-101. A judgment may be revived at any time prior to 20 years after the entry of such judgment. 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/13-218. |
 | Mississippi | 7 | An action must be brought within seven years after the entry of the judgment or the last renewal of judgment. Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-43. A judgment can be renewed only if the existing judgment has not expired. |
 | Nevada | 6 | A judgment is valid for six years but can be renewed by filing a petition within the six year period. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 17-150. |
 | Alaska | 5 | Judgments are valid until satisfied or discharged; however, when a period of five years lapses, the judgment holder must file a motion with the court and prove sufficient cause for failure to obtain a writ of execution. Alaska Stat. § 09.35.020. A recorded judgment lien may issue but not for more than 10 years. Alaska Stat. § 09.30.10; see Alaska Stat. § 09.10.040. For judgments against boroughs and cities, creditor has10 years from the date of judgment to collect. Alaska Stat. § 09.30.040. |
 | Kansas | 5 | A judgment becomes dormant if the judgment holder does not begin execution proceedings or file a renewal affidavit within five years after the date of judgment. Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-2403. |
 | Michigan | 5 | A judgment lien expires after 5 years from the date it is recorded but may be rerecorded once for another period of 5 years not less than 120 days before the expiration of the initial judgment. Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2809 |
 | Nebraska | 5 | A judgment becomes dormant if not executed on within five years. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-1515. A dormant judgment may be revived by bringing an action but must be within ten years of the judgment becoming dormant. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-1420. |
 | Ohio | 5 | A judgment becomes dormant after five years from the date of the judgment or renewal of the judgment. Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2329.07. An action to revive a judgment can be brought within ten years from the time the judgment became dormant. Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2325.18. |
 | Oklahoma | 5 | A judgment becomes unenforceable if not executed upon or renewed within five years. 12 Okla. Stat. § 735. |
 | Pennsylvania | 5 | A judgment creates a lien upon real property for 5 years. Pa. R.C.P. § 3023. An action for revival of a judgment lien on real property must be commenced within 5 years from the date of the judgment. Pa. R.C.P. § 3031.1; 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5526(a). An execution against personal property must be issued within 20 years. 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5529(a). |
 | Wyoming | 5 | A judgment becomes dormant if execution is not issued within 5 years. Wyo. Stat. § 1-17-307. A dormant judgment generally may be revived within 10 years. Wyo.Stat. §1-16-503. |
- Certain exceptions may apply. Also, laws are subject to change at any time. Interested parties are advised to confirm terms and conditions with local authorities.
Knowing your rights as an individual is important as it will help serve you best in times of great need. Anyone who owns a judgment that was not collected must determine how long the judgment can survive before it expires legally. Someone looking to enforce payment will be interested in finding out the information about your whereabouts and how much you currently owe.
In states with longer expiration dates, it is important to either pay what you owe or seek legal advice where necessary to achieve peace of mind. Remember to stay abreast of all new laws and ways that a judgment can be revived or extended if it has already expired.
Regardless of the time to expiration, it is always best to know how much you owe and to verify all information presented before you. Just because you owe money to a judgment collector does not mean that you necessarily need to comply with the exact things they say. Seek legal advice and know your rights. In certain cases, you may be able to reduce, limit, or throw out your case with the help of a qualified financial and legal team.
States with Long Judgement Expirations
The longest limit before a judgment expiration is around 20 years. Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Virginia have a 20-year statute of limitations on their judgments. This means that a judgment creditor has 20 years to track their debtors and legally request and enforce that they pay.
Kentucky has a similarly long time frame of 15 years. New Mexico is close behind with a limit of 14 years. The most common expiration is ten years which is valid in 23 states.
States with Short Judgement Expirations
States with low limits on expiration include Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Nevada, Georgia, Mississippi, Utah, and Vermont. These states have an expiration limit of between 5-8 years.
Although the limit is very small, this does not mean that the judgment collector is any less motivated - usually the exact opposite. If a judgment collector feels that they are pressed for time or in an area with a smaller population, they may move their case forward much more quickly and with greater intent than someone in an otherwise different situation.
