Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

He'd try to collect the same way any other creditor would, by using his judgment lien on your income and assets. Garnishing wages, levying on bank accounts, seizing vehicles or assets, real property, etc. Judgments are good for ten years, and are renewable every ten years. Once recorded, a judgment would prevent you obtaining loans, or selling assets, unless you pay off the judgment.

They have ten years to collect, and if they haven't collected at the end of ten years, they can renew it every ten years until you pay. In addition, it bears 10% interest, so they can collect a lot more by waiting than by taking the money now and investing it.