Debt types › Court judgments
How to sell a judgment (or judgement) for cash
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Short answer: can you sell a judgment? Yes, in most cases. A money judgment is generally an assignable property right. You (the judgment creditor of record) sign an assignment of judgment to the buyer, and it is filed with the court that entered the judgment. Buyers pay based on how collectable the debtor is, not the face amount, and some only offer contingency rather than cash.
How do you sell a judgment, step by step?
- Confirm the judgment is sellable. Check that it is final, not under appeal, not satisfied, and still enforceable under your state's time limit; renew it first if it is close to expiring.
- Gather your documents. Certified copy of the judgment, docket sheet, any abstract or recorded lien, payment history since judgment, and debtor information.
- Research the debtor. Note known employers, bank accounts, real estate, vehicles or business assets. Buyers price on collectability.
- Choose sale or contingency. Decide whether you want cash now (outright sale) or a share of future collections (contingency placement).
- Get and compare offers. Ask each buyer whether the offer is a purchase or placement, the price or fee, who pays court costs, and whether they are licensed where required.
- Sign the assignment of judgment. Sign a written assignment (usually notarized) transferring all rights, title and interest in the judgment to the buyer.
- File the assignment with the court. The buyer or seller files the assignment, or the state's acknowledgment form, with the clerk of the court that entered the judgment so the buyer becomes assignee of record.
Sale, assignment or contingency: what is the difference?
| Outright sale | Assignment for collection | Contingency placement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What happens | Buyer pays you now and takes all rights via an assignment of judgment | Rights are assigned to a collector to enforce, and you share proceeds under the agreement | You keep the judgment; an agency or law firm collects and keeps a fee from what it recovers |
| Cash up front | Yes | Usually no | No |
| Who owns it after | Buyer | Assignee of record (terms vary) | You |
| Your risk | None after sale; you give up upside | Depends on the contract terms | You get nothing if nothing is collected |
"Selling to a collection agency" can mean any of these. Ask which one is on offer. See selling debt to a collection agency vs. contingency.
Who buys judgments?
Companies that buy judgments include specialist judgment buyers, debt buyers, some collection agencies and collection law firms, and individual investors. Many take only commercial judgments, and some set minimum amounts. We do not publish a list of companies here; we match sellers with vetted buyers instead.
What affects the price?
- Debtor collectability: wages, bank accounts, real estate, an operating business.
- Remaining enforceable life and whether the judgment can be renewed (see your state below).
- Consumer vs. commercial debtor: consumer judgments carry FDCPA and state licensing obligations for the buyer.
- Size, age, and any payments or bankruptcy since entry.
- Paperwork quality: certified judgment, docket, and lien filings.
- The state's post-judgment interest rate, which affects the balance over time.
What documents will you need?
- Certified copy of the judgment and the case docket
- Assignment of judgment form (some states use their own form; California, for example, uses an Acknowledgment of Assignment of Judgment)
- Any abstract of judgment or recorded judgment lien
- Record of payments received since judgment
- Debtor details: last known address, employer, assets
- Proof you are the judgment creditor of record (or prior assignments)
What are the judgment rules in each state?
Each guide covers judgment lifespan and renewal, post-judgment interest, assignment filing and licensing, citing the official source where we could verify it and flagging gaps where we could not.
Find out what your judgment could sell for
Free, no-obligation. We match sellers with vetted, licensed buyers.
What else do sellers ask?
Can you sell a judgment?
Usually yes. A money judgment is generally an assignable property right. The judgment creditor of record assigns it to a buyer, who files an assignment of judgment with the court and takes over enforcement. Price depends on the debtor's collectable assets, not the face amount.
How do you sell a judgment (or judgement)?
Confirm the judgment is final and enforceable, gather the court documents, research the debtor's assets, get offers from buyers, sign an assignment of judgment, and file it with the court that entered the judgment.
Can I sell my judgment to a collection agency?
Some agencies and judgment buyers purchase judgments outright; many others only take them on contingency, paying you a share after they collect. Ask which one is being offered, and get it in writing.
Who buys judgments?
Judgment buyers and debt buyers that specialize in enforcement, some collection agencies and collection law firms, and investors who buy individual commercial judgments. Many focus on commercial (non-consumer) judgments, and some set minimum sizes.
Can I sell a judgment for cash?
Yes, if a buyer is willing to pay up front. Cash offers usually come only when the debtor has findable assets or income. Otherwise you are more likely to be offered a contingency arrangement.
How much will someone pay for my judgment?
There is no standard percentage. Buyers price on the debtor's assets and income, the judgment's remaining life, and the cost of enforcement. Judgments against debtors with no assets may get no cash offer at all.
Can I sell a judgment I won in small claims court?
Often yes, if it is final and still enforceable, but small judgments against debtors with no assets attract few buyers. Some buyers set minimum sizes.
How long is a judgment valid?
It depends on the state, and many states allow renewal. See the state guides on this page, which cite the official statute where we could verify it.
Information only, not legal, tax or accounting advice. Verify with counsel before acting. Price figures are third-party estimates, not offers. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Related guide: Can you sell a judgment? (And what it's worth) · All seller guides