Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California
how long is a judgment against an individual valid for in the State of Calfiornia
3 Answers from Attorneys
A judgment is enforceable for 10 years, but, if you renew the judgment BEFORE the end of the 10 year period, it is enforceable for another 10 years, from the renewal date.
There is a procedure where you file and serve certain documents, prior to the expiration of ten years, to renew the judgment. Forms here: Enforcement of Judgment: http://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm?filter=EJ
It can be just a bit tricky, make sure you serve and file the Notice after filing on the parties. There is reason to renew the judgment sooner, for example to add the interest. You can renew the first time anytime, and no more than every 5 years thereafter.
See CRC 3.1900, and Code of Civil Procedure 683.110 - 683.220, http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/calawquery?codesection=ccp&codebody;=&hits=20 and the laws related thereto.
Previous answers are correct but incomplete. Not only can it be renewed for another ten years, it can be renewed every ten years indefinitely as long as the renewal is done properly and on time.