Acquire Judgment Recovery Desk

Judgment Recovery Scorecard — Is Your NC Judgment Worth Anything?

A 100-point assessment framework to evaluate whether an unpaid civil money judgment has recoverable asset value. Use this to self-assess before submitting for formal review.

This is an assessment framework — not legal advice. Submit for formal review.

Scoring Categories (100 Points Maximum)

Judgment Amount

10 pts max
$25,000+10 pts
$10,000–$24,9997 pts
$2,500–$9,9994 pts
Under $2,5001 pts

Judgment Age (NC 10-Year Clock)

10 pts max
0–3 years old10 pts
4–6 years old7 pts
7–9 years old4 pts
10+ years / unknown renewal0 pts

Documentation Quality

10 pts max
Certified copy + docket sheet + recorded abstract10 pts
Copy of judgment + basic docket info6 pts
Judgment amount and court known only2 pts
Vague / no documentation0 pts

Creditor Ownership Clarity

10 pts max
Clear individual or entity ownership with authority10 pts
Entity ownership but entity status unclear5 pts
Inherited / estate-owned / unclear chain2 pts
Unknown ownership / possible prior assignment0 pts

Debtor Asset Clues

20 pts max
Confirmed real estate ownership in NC county20 pts
Strong evidence of business ownership or employment14 pts
Some employment or business clues8 pts
No known assets or employment0 pts

Real Estate Ownership (NC-Specific)

15 pts max
Debtor owns real property with equity above exemption15 pts
Debtor owns real property — equity unclear10 pts
Possible property ownership — needs search5 pts
No property ownership / fully exempt0 pts

Business Ownership or Employment

10 pts max
Actively operating business with attachable assets10 pts
Stable employment with garnishable wages6 pts
Possible business or employment — needs search3 pts
No known business or employment0 pts

No Bankruptcy Risk

10 pts max
No bankruptcy filing found10 pts
Bankruptcy dismissed — judgment may survive5 pts
Bankruptcy filed — discharge status unclear2 pts
Judgment discharged in bankruptcy-100 pts

No Satisfaction / Release / Assignment Issues

10 pts max
No satisfaction or release found10 pts
Partial satisfaction — balance may remain6 pts
Satisfaction or release status unclear2 pts
Satisfaction or release filed-100 pts

Enforcement Path Clarity (NC Law)

15 pts max
Clear NC enforcement path — lien, execution, or garnishment15 pts
Enforcement path exists but requires attorney action10 pts
Enforcement path unclear — needs legal review5 pts
No practical NC enforcement path0 pts

Scoring Bands

80–100Strong Candidate

The judgment has strong recovery indicators. Multiple positive factors present — real estate, clear documentation, favorable age, and clear enforcement path. Highest priority for review and potential offer.

60–79Possible Candidate

The judgment has several positive indicators but may have weaknesses in one or two categories. Worth thorough review. May require additional research or documentation before a recommendation can be made.

40–59Attorney / Research Needed

The judgment has mixed indicators — some positive, some concerning. Requires deeper research, attorney review, or additional documentation before a clear recovery path can be identified.

20–39Weak Candidate

Multiple negative factors present. Recovery is unlikely but not impossible. May be worth monitoring for debtor circumstances change. Low priority for active pursuit.

0–19Decline

The judgment has insufficient recovery indicators. Multiple negative factors, no clear debtor assets, documentation problems, or enforcement barriers. Honest recommendation: not practical to pursue.

Red Flag Overrides

Any one of these automatically overrides the score. If present, the judgment is not a viable recovery candidate regardless of point total.

Bankruptcy discharge found — judgment is permanently uncollectible
Judgment satisfied or released — no remaining enforceability
Judgment expired and cannot be renewed — enforcement period has passed
Creditor does not own the judgment — prior assignment or unclear chain
Debtor deceased with no estate or probate path
Consumer debt requiring FDCPA/NC licensing review
Family court, child support, or criminal restitution matter
No debtor identity or location clarity
Judgment already assigned or sold to another party
Cost of recovery exceeds any realistic recovery amount

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