Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Washington

Re: Judgments

You get a judgment by filing and serving a lawsuit. That's a summons and complaint for damages (money) due and owing.

You give the defendant a chance to answer and give their side of the story. If the judge believes you, you win. THEN the court will sign a judgment.

The debtor has 30 days to make good on a judgment; if they don't then you apply for an order to appear for supplemental proceedings, learn where their assets are, and then you can apply for a wage garnishment, or an account garnishment, depending on where their assets are.

And at any time, the debtor could decide to take a bankruptcy and you get nothing.

Hope this helps. Powell