Guides › Can you sell a judgment? (And what it's worth)
Can you sell a judgment? (And what it's worth)
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Short answer: Yes. In most states a money judgment can be sold by assigning it to a buyer. You sign an assignment, and it is recorded with the court that entered the judgment. There is no public price benchmark: buyers price each judgment on how collectable the debtor is, how much enforceable life is left, and the interest rate.
What is your judgment worth?
Free, confidential valuation. Summary data only, mutual NDA before any documents, and no obligation to sell.
Is it legal to sell a court judgment?
Generally yes. State law treats a money judgment as transferable property. Georgia's code, for example, says a judgment holder may transfer a judgment "bona fide and for a valuable consideration," and the transferee gets the same rights as the original holder (O.C.G.A. § 9-12-21, § 9-13-34). Pennsylvania's magisterial district court rules set out how an assignment is docketed (Pa. R.C.P.M.D.J. 401.1). Rules differ by state, so check the state guides.
How much is a judgment worth to a buyer?
No public study or filing reports what judgment buyers pay, and we will not invent a number. Our Debt Pricing Guide 2026 lists judgments as "no public benchmark." In practice, price depends on:
- Debtor collectability: employment, bank accounts, real estate and other assets.
- Remaining life: judgments expire or go dormant unless renewed (for example 10 years in Tennessee, 20 years in New Jersey).
- Interest: post-judgment interest adds to the balance.
- Consumer or business debtor: collecting a consumer judgment brings in the FDCPA.
Some buyers pay cash up front; others offer contingency, where you keep ownership and they keep a share of what they recover.
How long does a judgment stay collectable?
| State | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | Dormant after 7 years without a qualifying execution-docket entry | O.C.G.A. § 9-12-60 |
| Tennessee | Actions on judgments within 10 years | Tenn. Code § 28-3-110 |
| New Jersey | Revival or action within 20 years | N.J.S.A. 2A:14-5 |
| Colorado | 20 years (district court) / 6 years (county court) unless revived | C.R.S. § 13-52-102 |
| Pennsylvania | Judgment lien revival action within 5 years | 42 Pa.C.S. § 5526 |
See every state in our judgment rules by state.
How do you sell a judgment, step by step?
- Gather the judgment, the docket, any payments received, and what you know about the debtor's assets.
- Request a valuation, using summary details only.
- Compare cash offers with contingency offers.
- Sign a written assignment of judgment.
- Have the assignment recorded with the court (or the clerk/prothonotary) that entered the judgment.
Can I sell my judgment to a collection agency?
Some collection agencies and judgment-recovery firms buy judgments; many only work on contingency. Anyone collecting a consumer judgment must follow the FDCPA (15 U.S.C. § 1692a) and any state collector licensing (Tennessee and Colorado both require a collection license; New Jersey requires a collection-agency bond). See selling vs. contingency.
What is your judgment worth?
Free, confidential valuation. Summary data only, mutual NDA before any documents, and no obligation to sell.
What else do sellers ask?
Can you sell a judgment (or judgement) for cash?
Often yes, but only if a buyer judges the debtor collectable. Many buyers offer contingency instead of cash, and some offer a mix.
What percentage do judgment buyers pay?
There is no published, verified benchmark for judgment prices. Offers vary case by case with debtor assets, judgment age and state law. Get several quotes.
Do I need the debtor's permission to sell a judgment?
Generally no. Georgia, for example, lets a judgment holder transfer a judgment to a third person, but a partial assignment may need the debtor's consent. Check your state's rules with counsel.
Who files the assignment of judgment?
Usually the buyer (assignee) files the signed assignment with the court that entered the judgment, but procedure varies by court.
Where should you go next?
- How to sell a judgment: pillar guide and all states
- Debt Pricing Guide 2026
- Price range estimator
- Request a free valuation
General information only, not legal, tax or accounting advice. Price figures are historical public benchmarks, not offers. Verify with counsel.