Acquire Judgment Recovery Desk
Judgment Recovery FAQ
Direct answers to the most common questions about judgment recovery, purchase, assignment, and our review process.
What is judgment recovery?
Judgment recovery is the process of locating, verifying, and collecting on unpaid civil money judgments. Many judgment creditors win in court but never collect because they do not know how to find debtor assets, enforce the judgment, or renew it before it expires. Judgment recovery professionals review the judgment file, research the debtor, and determine whether collection is practical — through direct purchase, assignment, legal enforcement, or referral to licensed professionals.
Are you a law firm?
No. Acquire Judgment Recovery Desk is a division of Acquire, Inc., operating as part of AOX — Asset Opportunity Exchange. We are not a law firm, and we do not provide legal advice. Nothing on this site or in our communications constitutes legal advice. Some matters require referral to licensed attorneys, and we will tell you when that is the case.
Do you guarantee collection?
No. We do not guarantee recovery, payment, or that any judgment is enforceable. We review each file honestly and tell you what we find. Some judgments are valuable. Some are not. The difference is whether the debtor is collectible and the judgment can still be legally enforced. We would rather tell you the truth than give you false hope.
Can you buy my judgment?
In some cases, yes. If the judgment is enforceable, properly documented, and backed by a collectible debtor, we may make a purchase offer. The purchase price is based on estimated collectible value — not face value. A $50,000 judgment against a debtor with no assets may be worth nothing. A $10,000 judgment against a debtor who owns real estate and operates a business may be quite collectible.
What is an assignment of judgment?
An assignment of judgment is a legal transfer of the judgment from the original creditor to another party. The assignee then has the legal right to pursue collection. Assignments must be properly documented and filed with the court. Some states have specific requirements for judgment assignments, and attorney review is often recommended.
What is a recovery split?
A recovery split is an arrangement where the judgment creditor and the recovery party agree to share any amounts recovered. The creditor retains ownership of the judgment, and the recovery party pursues collection in exchange for a percentage of what is collected. The specific split depends on the judgment amount, debtor collectability, and the work required.
What types of judgments do you review?
We focus on civil money judgments, business-to-business judgments, contractor judgments, commercial lease judgments, landlord judgments, real-estate-related judgments, recorded judgment liens, consent judgments, default judgments, breach-of-contract judgments, promissory note judgments, and similar commercial or civil judgments. See our main Judgment Recovery page for the full list.
What types of judgments do you avoid?
We generally avoid consumer credit-card judgments, medical debt, payday loans, student loans, family court judgments, child support, criminal restitution, and bankruptcy-discharge-related matters. These categories involve specific consumer protection laws, licensing requirements, or practical collectability issues. We will tell you honestly if your file falls outside our review scope.
What if the debtor moved to another state?
A judgment from one state can often be domesticated in another state where the debtor now lives or owns assets. This requires filing the judgment in the new state and following that state's domestication procedures. This typically requires attorney involvement. We can help evaluate whether domestication is practical and refer you to qualified counsel if needed.
What if the judgment is old?
Every state has a judgment enforcement period — typically 5 to 20 years, depending on the state. Some judgments can be renewed or revived before they expire. Others cannot. We review the judgment date and applicable state law to determine whether the judgment is still enforceable or can be renewed. If it has expired and cannot be revived, we will tell you.
What if I don't have all the documents?
Submit what you have. We can often pull court dockets, check lien recordings, and verify judgment status through public records. The more documentation you provide — especially the judgment itself and any docket information — the faster we can review. We will request additional documents if needed.
What if the debtor owns real estate?
Real estate ownership is one of the strongest indicators of judgment collectability. If the debtor owns property and the judgment can be recorded as a lien, that lien may attach to the property. The debtor may need to satisfy the judgment to sell or refinance. We search property records, tax assessor databases, and recorder/register of deeds records as part of our debtor asset review.
What if the debtor filed bankruptcy?
If the debtor filed bankruptcy and the judgment debt was discharged, the judgment is generally not collectible. If the bankruptcy was dismissed or the judgment debt was not discharged, it may still be enforceable. We screen for bankruptcy filings as part of every review. Bankruptcy-discharge-related matters are among the categories we flag for special review.
What if the judgment was already partially paid?
Partial payment does not necessarily make a judgment uncollectible. The remaining balance may still be enforceable. We need to verify the payment history, confirm that no satisfaction or release has been filed, and determine the current balance. Provide any payment records, correspondence, or partial satisfaction filings you have.
What if I am not sure the judgment was recorded?
We can check. Judgment recording or docketing procedures vary by state and county. A properly recorded judgment may create a lien on the debtor's real property in that county. An unrecorded judgment may still be enforceable but may not have lien priority. We review recording status as part of every file.
Do you contact the debtor?
We do not contact debtors without proper legal authorization, a clear compliance review, and, where necessary, attorney involvement. The initial review is conducted based on public records and the documents you provide. If we determine there is a recovery path, we follow all applicable laws regarding debtor contact, notice requirements, and collection practices.
Will I owe money upfront?
No. We do not charge upfront fees to review a judgment submission. If we make a purchase offer, we pay you. If we pursue an assignment or recovery split, our compensation comes from amounts recovered — not from you paying us out of pocket. If we refer you to an attorney, that attorney's fee arrangement is between you and the attorney.
How long does review take?
Initial review typically takes 7–14 business days after we receive complete documentation. More complex files — those requiring multi-state research, bankruptcy review, or attorney consultation — may take longer. We will keep you informed of progress and let you know if additional time is needed.
Can attorneys refer files?
Yes. Attorneys with dormant judgment files where clients have stopped pursuing collection may refer files for review with proper client authorization. We respect attorney-client relationships, do not interfere with representation, and review files only with appropriate consent. See our For Attorneys page for more information.
Can bookkeepers and CPAs refer clients?
Yes. CPAs, bookkeepers, and other financial professionals who see unpaid judgments on client balance sheets may refer clients with proper authorization. We maintain confidentiality and respect the professional relationship. See our For Advisors page on the main AOX site for referral information.
Can businesses sell old judgment assets?
Yes — if the business owns the judgment and has the authority to sell or assign it. This is common with defunct or dissolved businesses that still hold judgment assets. Even if the business is inactive, it may still own the judgment. We review ownership, entity status, and assignment authority as part of every business judgment file.
What makes a judgment valuable?
A judgment is valuable when three things align: (1) the judgment is legally enforceable — not expired, satisfied, or discharged; (2) the debtor has collectible assets — real estate, business interests, employment income, bank accounts, or other attachable assets; and (3) there is a clear legal path to enforcement — proper documentation, correct recording, and compliance with applicable laws. A large judgment amount alone does not make a judgment valuable.
What makes a judgment worthless?
A judgment is effectively worthless when: the judgment has expired and cannot be renewed; the debtor filed bankruptcy and the debt was discharged; a satisfaction or release has been filed; the debtor is deceased with no estate; the debtor has no assets, no income, and no realistic prospect of becoming collectible; or the cost of recovery exceeds any realistic recovery amount. We will tell you if your judgment falls into one of these categories.
Still have questions?
Submit Your Judgment for Review