Judgment Liens on Property in the District of Columbia (D.C.)

You went to court and got a judgment that says you're entitled to money from the party you sued, now called a "judgment debtor." What comes next? How can you—the judgment creditor—collect the money you're due? That's the focus of this article.

One way to collect is by putting judgment liens on the judgment debtor's District of Columbia property. After a quick review of how judgment liens differ from judgments, we'll turn our attention to the specifics of District of Columbia law. In particular, we cover:

• the kinds of property subject to District of Columbia judgment liens
• how you put judgment liens on District of Columbia property
• how long your judgment lien lasts, and
• the ways you can turn your judgment lien into money.

If you want some background information, here's more about how court judgments are collected.

What's the Difference Between a Judgment and a Judgment Lien?

A judgment is a court order that says a judgment creditor is legally entitled to a sum of money from a judgment debtor. But a judgment, standing alone, isn't self-enforcing. That is, you can't take a judgment to your county sheriff's office and demand that the judgment debtor's real estate be sold to pay you.

If you want to seize and sell the judgment debtor's property, you first have to attach your judgment to specific items of property. That's what a judgment lien does. As we discuss later, when you record your judgment with the District of Columbia Recorder of Deeds, it becomes a lien against the judgment debtor's nonexempt real estate in the District. Once that's done, you can look for ways to turn your judgment into cold, hard cash.

Kinds of Property Subject to District of Columbia Judgment Liens

In District of Columbia, you can attach judgment liens only to real estate, meaning land, houses, buildings, and other improvements. A properly recorded judgment attaches a lien to real estate the judgment debtor:

• presently owns, and
• acquires later, as long as your judgment lien is still good.

You can't put judgment liens on District of Columbia personal property—cars, artwork, antiques, electronics, household furnishings, and the like. But that doesn't mean a judgment debtor always gets to keep their autos, boats, and other big ticket items. Even without judgment liens, there's a way to have the sheriff seize personal property.

If you're considering this step, speak to a District of Columbia collection lawyer first. They can tell you whether it's worth your time and expense to go after the judgment debtor's personal property—and there's a good chance it won't be. If it's likely to be worthwhile, they'll guide you through the process.

Property Exempt From District of Columbia Judgment Liens

Like all states, District of Columbia exempts some property—both real and personal—from the reach of creditors. Unless stated otherwise, dollar amounts mentioned here represent the maximum value of the debtor's exempt equity in the property, which might not be the same as the property's market value.

Here are a few examples.

• Homestead exemption. The District of Columbia provides an unlimited homestead exemption for a primary residence, protecting 100% of the judgment debtor's equity in the home. (D.C. Code § 15-501(a)(14) (2025).)
• Motor vehicle exemption. A District of Columbia judgment debtor can exempt their equity in one motor vehicle, not to exceed $2,575. (D.C. Code § 15-501(a)(1) (2025).)
• Household goods exemption. District of Columbia law protects household furnishings, goods, wearing apparel, appliances, books, and similar property, up to $425 per item and an aggregate value not exceeding $8,625. (D.C. Code § 15-501(a)(2) (2025).)
• Tools of the trade exemption. A judgment debtor gets to keep up to $1,625 in equipment, professional books, or tools of trade. (D.C. Code § 15-501(a)(4) (2025).)

How to Attach a District of Columbia Judgment Lien

A District of Columbia Superior Court judgment, or a judgment of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, becomes a lien on the judgment debtor's nonexempt real estate in the District when it's recorded with the District of Columbia Recorder of Deeds.

Follow these steps to get a judgment lien.

• Get a certified copy. Start by getting a certified copy of the judgment from the clerk of the court that entered it. Contact the clerk's office for information about ordering.
• Record with the Recorder of Deeds. The Recorder's Office allows electronic recording, which is generally faster and more efficient than in-person recording. The official recording fee is $30.00, and if you record electronically, there's an additional fee for the electronic recording service.

Once it's recorded, you have a judgment lien. Your lien is good for 12 years, unless you revive the judgment before it expires (discussed below).

(See D.C. Code § 15-102 (2025).)

How Long Does a District of Columbia Judgment Last?

A District of Columbia judgment expires 12 years from the later of:

• the date when execution on the judgment—formal efforts to collect it—can begin (usually, 30 days after judgment is entered unless there's an appeal or the court orders otherwise), or
• the last date the judgment was revived.

(D.C. Code § 15-101(a) (2025).)

Effect of Expiration

Once a judgment expires, it's legally dead. Nothing you do will bring it back to life. You've lost the right to collect the money you were owed. (D.C. Code § 15-101(b) (2025).)

Reviving a Superior Court Judgment

Before your superior court judgment expires, you can revive it by filing a motion to revive with the court that issued it. You'll need to serve the judgment debtor with a copy of the motion, just as you would if you'd filed a lawsuit. The court will grant your motion unless the judgment debtor shows some reason why the judgment shouldn't be revived.

Once granted, the revival order extends your judgment and judgment lien for 12 years from the date of the order. (D.C. Code § 15-103 (2025).)

How Do You Turn a District of Columbia Judgment Lien Into Money?

In general, there are three ways you can try to collect on a District of Columbia judgment lien:

• negotiate a settlement
• wait for the judgment debtor to sell or refinance the property, and
• execute on your lien.

Negotiate a Settlement

If you want payment sooner rather than later, this is likely your best choice. No, you won't get all the money you're entitled to, but that's the nature of a settlement. You'll collect faster—and more inexpensively—than via the other two options.

Wait for the Judgment Debtor to Sell or Refinance

Most often, a buyer or lender will insist on clear title, free of all judgment liens. To sell or refinance, the judgment debtor will have to approach you to make a deal. Only now, you've got more negotiating leverage. As long as you're willing to sit tight and wait, this too is a low-cost, low-stress way to collect.

Execute on Your Lien

Executing on your lien means having the sheriff sell the judgment debtor's property at auction. This might seem like a tempting option. But before you head down this path, check with a local attorney to find out about the legwork and costs involved. In addition, see who's ahead of you in payment priority, or you might discover—too late—that the sale proceeds aren't enough to pay you in full (or at all).

Lastly, be aware that this step might be just the push the judgment debtor needs to declare bankruptcy. Should that happen, you're likely to be standing in a long, very unhappy line of creditors with little chance of getting paid.

Next Steps

We've covered District of Columbia judgment lien basics, but of course, the devil's in the details. Now that you're familiar with District of Columbia law, you might decide that your best option is to get help collecting your judgment. An experienced District of Columbia creditor's rights or collection attorney can answer your questions and help you chart a collection path that gives you the best chance to maximize your recovery.