To domesticate an out-of-state judgment in California, follow this procedure: First, the creditor must file an Application for Entry of Judgment on Sister-State Judgment (Form EJ-105). The application must be filed in the debtor's county of residence, pursuant to CCP § 1710.20(b).
Most judgments (the court order saying what you're owed) expire in 10 years. This means you can't collect on it after 10 years. To avoid this, you can ask the court to renew it. A renewal lasts 10 years.
How do I tell the Court that my address has changed? The Notice of Change of Address form is a state form, MC-040 . You can access it and complete it online. File the completed original and the copy at the Court where your case was heard - see list of courthouses.
Copies of the pleadings must be obtained at the courthouse in which the case was filed, either in person or by mailing a request with a self addressed stamped envelope to return the documents. Click for courthouse locations and mailing addresses.
You must execute the judgment. A document called a writ of execution must be prepared, attested to by the clerk of court, and delivered to the sheriff. This gives the sheriff the power to take possession of any non-exempt personal property and, if necessary, real property.
In South Carolina, a judgment lien can be attached to real estate only.
S.C. Code Ann. § 15-35-810. A judgment becomes a lien on real property for a period of 10 years.
To do this, fill out an EJ-001 Abstract of Judgment form and take it to the clerk's office. After the clerk stamps it, record it at the County Recorder's Office in the county where the property is located. Place a lien on a business.
What if I need to postpone my court date? (a continuance) Ask for a continuance. You can do this in person, by phone or in writing. The Court will allow one continuance for arraignments or trials if the parties have waived their right to trial within time periods set by law.