Quick Resource Guide: Collecting/Enforcing a Judgment

How to:

California Courts

• • Self-Help Center: Collecting your small claims judgment
  • Self-Help Center: How to collect a judgment (civil suits)

Alameda County Self-Help Center:

• • Collecting your Small Claims Judgment (PDF, external)

Forms and instructions:

California Court Self-Help Center:

• • How to get a debtor’s examination for a civil lawsuit
  • How to get a debtor’s examination for a small claims lawsuit 
  • How to get a writ of execution
  • How to put a lien on someone’s property
    
  • How to add costs and interest to what is owed
  • How to renew a judgment

Sacramento County Law Library

• • Memorandum of Costs after Judgment: this page has sample forms and instructions for filling them out

San Diego County Law Library

• • San Diego County Judgment Calculator:  use this page to calculate interest owed on the judgment
  • User guide for the Judgment Calculator  (PDF, external)

Library Books

• • Matthew Bender practice guide: California debt collection and enforcement of judgments
    KFC1065 .C6 M38, shelf 116B
  • California practice guide: enforcing judgments and debts
    KFC1065 .A9 E5, shelf 116B
  • Enforcing civil money judgments: here’s how and when to do it
    KFC995 .A1 C34, shelf 108B
  • How to collect when you win a lawsuit in California
    KFC1065 .Z9 S38 2016, shelved at the reference desk.

Videos

From the Sacramento County Law Library

• • Enforcement of Judgments: Introduction
  • Enforcement of Judgments 2: Determine Amount Owed
  • Enforcement of Judgments: Finding Assets (Debtor’s Exam)
  • Enforcement of Judgments 4a: Choose Your Weapon(s)
  • Enforcement of Judgments 4b: Handling Claims of Exemption

Free Legal Help

Alameda County Court Self-Help Center

Self-Help Center Website:  The Self-Help Center does not take walk-in patrons, but you may make an appointment to talk to someone in person.  Contact the SHC via phone or chat to make an appointment.

• • LiveChat:  Monday-Thursday, 9AM-12PM.  They may stop taking chats before the stated hours once they reach capacity.
  • Phone:  Call: (510) 272-1393, Mon-Thurs, 2PM-4PM Voicemails can only be left during phone hours.  Messages are returned within 5 business days.

Community Legal Assistance Saturday Program (CLASP)

CLASP offers a monthly, free clinic open to the public.  This phone clinic occurs on the first Saturday of the month except for January and July.  Volunteer attorneys meet with individuals for 15–20-minute phone consultations.  CLASP Flyer (PDF)

Updated on 4.9.2026