Florida Judgment Collection Laws: How to Get Paid in Orlando

Florida judgment collection laws allow Orlando creditors to enforce court judgments through legal tools like wage garnishment, bank levies, and judgment liens. Winning your case in Orange County court is only the first step—state law dictates how you can legally collect the money you’re owed.

For business owners in Winter Park or along the I-4 corridor, unpaid judgments can strain cash flow and operations. Understanding Florida’s collection rules, timelines, and enforcement options is essential to turning a court order into real payment.

That is where professional credit collections expertise becomes vital. Navigating the post-judgment landscape requires specific knowledge of how to uncover assets and legally seize them. While the court system provides the tools, it's up to you to pick them up and use them effectively. Here is what you need to know about turning your Florida judgment into the revenue your business deserves.

What is the Lifespan of a Florida Judgment?

Did you know that a judgment in Florida can remain valid for up to 20 years? This long timeframe matters because a debtor who is broke today might inherit money, win the lottery, or land a high-paying job in the future.

Just because you haven't been paid immediately doesn't mean your debt is dead. In Florida, a judgment creates a lien on personal property for five years (renewable for another five) and on real property for ten years (renewable for another ten). Additionally, interest accrues on that unpaid judgment. As of 2024, the statutory interest rate for judgments is set annually by the Chief Financial Officer, currently sitting at 9.33% per year. This means the longer the debtor waits to pay, the more they will eventually owe you.

How Do I Start the Collection Process?

The first step is moving your judgment from the courtroom to the public record. You must record a certified copy of the judgment with the Florida Department of State and the Clerk of Court in any county where you believe the debtor owns property, such as Seminole or Osceola County.

Recording the judgment creates a "judgment lien." This is a powerful tool because it attaches to real estate. If the debtor tries to sell their home in a sought-after neighborhood like Baldwin Park or refinance a property in Altamonte Springs, they cannot close the deal with a clean title until your judgment is satisfied. For businesses handling credit collections Orlando accounts, this often forces payment without you having to lift another finger.

Once the lien is established, you can engage in "Discovery in Aid of Execution." This allows you to force the debtor to fill out financial forms (Fact Information Sheet) or appear for a deposition to answer questions about their bank accounts, vehicles, and other assets under oath.

What Are the Most Effective Collection Methods?

Once you locate assets, how do you actually seize them? The two most common methods are wage garnishment and bank levies.

Wage Garnishment: If the debtor is employed, you can seek a continuing writ of garnishment. This orders their employer to withhold a portion of their paycheck—up to 25% of disposable earnings—and send it directly to you until the debt is paid.

Bank Levies: If you know where the debtor banks, you can freeze their account. This is often a sudden and effective wake-up call for debtors who have been ignoring your calls.

However, these processes come with upfront costs. For example, a sheriff's levy on physical property (like a car or boat) requires a cost deposit that can range from $1,500 to $3,000 or more to cover towing and storage fees. This is why it matters to verify that the asset has enough equity to cover these costs before you proceed. You don't want to spend thousands seizing a beat-up car that is legally owned by a financing company.

What Obstacles Will I Face?

Florida is known as a "debtor-friendly" state, and there are several exemptions that can block your collection efforts. The most significant is the "Head of Family" exemption. If a debtor provides more than 50% of the support for a child or other dependent, their wages are strictly exempt from garnishment.

This is a common hurdle in credit collections Orlando cases, where many residents support families. Additionally, Florida's homestead exemption protects a debtor's primary residence from being forced into a sale to pay off a judgment lien, provided the property is under half an acre within a municipality or 160 acres outside of one.

We often see these challenges in sectors like utility debt collection, where the volume of accounts is high, and debtors often know how to work the system. If a debtor claims these exemptions, you may need to shift your strategy to finding non-exempt assets, such as second homes, recreational vehicles, or investment accounts.

Do I Need an Attorney for Judgment Collection?

Are you prepared to navigate the specialized rules of the Florida Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act or handle a "traverse" hearing if a debtor fights your garnishment? While you can attempt to collect on your own, the legal complexity often leads to mistakes that can cost you the entire debt.

Hiring a professional ensures that deadlines are met and procedures are followed correctly. Most collection specialists work on a contingency basis for judgments, typically keeping 33% to 50% of what is collected. While this might seem high, receiving 60% of something is far better than receiving 100% of nothing.

For businesses looking for credit collections Orlando solutions, partnering with experts means you don't have to waste your team's time playing detective. We know the local landscape, from the high-rises of downtown Orlando to the residential sprawls of Dr. Phillips, and we know how to apply pressure legally and effectively.

Maximizing Your Chances of Collection

Winning the lawsuit was the first step; now you need a partner to help you cross the finish line. Judgment collection is a marathon, not a sprint, requiring persistence, legal knowledge, and the ability to adapt when a debtor tries to hide.

You have waited long enough to get paid. Do not let your judgment gather dust while inflation eats away at its value. If you have a judgment that needs enforcing, we are here to help you navigate the process and recover what is rightfully yours.

For a free consultation on your judgment recovery options, contact HF Holdings, Inc. today at (877) 680-6064. Let us turn that paper judgment into money in the bank.