Page 45 - Judgment Enforcement Course

Judgment Enforcement – The Step-by-Step Course

Sit with the file for a while, whether it’s in a folder or on a computer. The more you look,

the more you’ll discover. And because all files will be organized exactly the same way,
what may take you 10 minutes the first time you look through a file, will only take you a
few seconds when you have more experience.

6. Study your court case file like a winning lottery ticket. It just might be one.

The court case file is so important, whether it’s the physical file, or the online court file.
Right there you have a ton of information needed to locate the Plaintiff, who is now the
Judgment Creditor (the “JC”). You may also find a present or past address for the
judgment debtor (the “JD”), and get some insight into what kind of person the debtor is.
You may find more. I’ve found checks belonging to the debtor, and information about the
debtor’s job, and so on.

1. Learn the court’s filing system
In the next chapter I’ll show you
very specific things to look for in the 2. Ask how to get access to files or computer
file folder. Often the folder will even
reveal the likelihood of the debtor 3. Meet the Court Clerks
paying you—which is obviously the
most important aspect of picking 4. Learn the filing numbering system
your cases wisely.

5. Dive in and get busy.
Note: If your courthouse still has
paper files, you may want to scan
the documents or take a picture of them on your phone. Then, you can download it at home
and have the information right there at home. Handy dandy, no?

5. Bonus! While you’re there

While you’re at the courthouse, look for a courtroom where something is going on. Have a
seat and watch. This is now your domain, part of your workspace. Every time I enter a
courtroom I learn something. No exaggeration.

Courts are about hearings. It may a small claims or a civil trial. Small claims trials take
about 15 minutes max. Civil tries can take much longer. Both are valuable to watch.

The hearing may be a lawsuit or maybe a JDX (judgment debtor examination- see Part
Nine ). It may also be a post-judgment hearing, where a JD is asking the court to let him

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