Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Florida

If you obtain a judgment against him and record it properly, it will be a lien for several years and you can then extend it by re-recording it. It will earn interest and it will affect his credit. During this time, he may have reasons as to why he would want to pay it off. I once held a judgment that I had completely forgotten and then a Realtor contacted me when the debtor was trying to refinance his house. That was a pleasant surprise. Conversely, he may move to another state and you may not know where to find him or wish to pursue him there. Of course, absent fraud, bankruptcy can be used to wipe out the debt.