Judgment Enforcement in New York
Strategic, Precise, and Persistent Representation for Judgment Creditors
Winning a judgment is only the first step. Enforcing it is where the real work begins. Many judgment debtors ignore court orders, hide assets, or assume that enforcement is impossible. In reality, New York provides some of the strongest judgment-enforcement tools in the country, but success depends on knowing how to use them effectively and in the right sequence.
My practice focuses on careful analysis, decisive action, and disciplined follow-through. Unlike high-volume collection firms, I take a limited number of enforcement matters so I can pursue each one with the attention it requires. Every detail is examined. Every tool is used. No step is wasted.
If you have a judgment that has not been paid, enforcement can often be achieved through the right combination of strategy, legal pressure, and documented procedure.
Why New York Judgment Enforcement Demands Precision
Judgment enforcement is technical. Success often hinges on understanding the debtor’s structure, the nature of the underlying business, and the interplay between restraints, subpoenas, turnover statutes, and fraudulent-transfer law. Improper steps can cause delays, void restraints, or alert debtors prematurely.
I approach each matter methodically. I identify the debtor’s assets, liabilities, accounts, business entities, and financial pressure points. I tailor the enforcement plan to the situation rather than relying on automated or cookie-cutter procedures. This approach is deliberate, respectful of the court’s authority, and effective.
How Judgment Enforcement Typically Begins
Most creditors come to me after months — sometimes years — of frustration. They have tried garnishments, sheriff executions, or informal attempts to collect. They may have received vague promises, partial payments, or silence. Some believe the judgment is uncollectible.
Once I take a judgment enforcement matter, I evaluate the debtor’s legal structure, assets, and financial behavior. From there, enforcement proceeds through a combination of restraining notices, subpoenas, information demands, asset discovery, and, when necessary, litigation against third parties or related entities.
The process is systematic and lawful, and because I maintain a small caseload, each enforcement strategy receives continuous attention.
New York’s Enforcement Tools
New York law provides powerful remedies when debtors refuse to satisfy judgments. These include:
- restraining notices that immediately freeze assets,
- subpoenas and depositions to uncover financial information,
- turnover proceedings under CPLR §§ 5225 and 5227,
- litigation against fraudulent transfers,
- actions against related companies or alter-ego entities,
- domestication of out-of-state judgments,
- enforcement against LLCs, dissolved entities, and successor businesses.
Judgment Enforcement Topics Covered
Explore the following areas for a more detailed explanation of the enforcement tools available under New York law. Each involves distinct procedures and strategic considerations, depending on how and where assets are held.
Enforcing a New York Judgment
Obtaining a judgment is often only the first step. Enforcing a judgment in New York requires understanding how post-judgment remedies work, what assets may be reachable, and how to move efficiently when payment is not voluntary. I guide judgment creditors through the enforcement process with a focus on practical recovery, not just procedural formality.
Learn more about enforcing a New York judgment →
Turnover Proceedings under CPLR §§ 5225 and 5227
When assets are held by banks, employers, or other third parties, turnover proceedings are often the most direct enforcement tool available. These proceedings allow judgment creditors to compel the delivery of money or property that belongs to the debtor but is held elsewhere. I use turnover proceedings strategically to reach funds that are otherwise inaccessible through ordinary collection efforts.
Learn more about turnover proceedings under CPLR §§ 5225 and 5227 →
Restraining Notices, Subpoenas, and Asset Discovery
Effective judgment enforcement depends on locating assets before they can be moved or concealed. New York law provides powerful discovery tools, including restraining notices and subpoenas, to identify bank accounts, income sources, and other property. I use these tools methodically to build a clear picture of a debtor’s financial landscape and to prevent dissipation of assets.
Learn more about restraining notices and asset discovery →
Domestication of Out-of-State Judgments
Judgments entered in other states are not automatically enforceable in New York. Before collection efforts can begin, a foreign judgment must be properly recognized and filed under New York law. I assist judgment creditors with domesticating out-of-state judgments so they can take advantage of New York’s enforcement mechanisms without unnecessary delay.
Learn more about domesticating out-of-state judgments →
Fraudulent Transfers and Debtor Misconduct
Some debtors attempt to avoid payment by transferring assets to family members, insiders, or related entities. New York law allows judgment creditors to challenge transfers made to hinder, delay, or defraud creditors. I evaluate transaction history and debtor conduct to determine whether fraudulent transfer claims are appropriate and how best to unwind improper asset movements.
Learn more about fraudulent transfers and debtor misconduct →
Piercing the Corporate Veil and Successor Liability
In certain cases, the entity that owes the judgment is closely intertwined with other businesses or individuals. Where corporate formalities are abused or a business continues under a new name, additional parties may be responsible for the debt. I analyze ownership, control, and operational continuity to determine whether veil piercing or successor liability claims may allow recovery beyond the nominal judgment debtor.
Learn more about veil piercing and successor liability →
Collecting Against LLCs, Dissolved Companies, and Shell Entities
Judgment enforcement becomes more complex when the debtor is an LLC, a dissolved company, or an entity that appears inactive on paper. These situations often require deeper investigation into members, managers, and related entities. I help judgment creditors navigate these challenges and identify lawful avenues for recovery when the debtor’s structure is used to obstruct payment.
Learn more about collecting against LLCs and dissolved companies →