A small claims case is filed in the clerk of superior court's office in the appropriate county. The forms may be printed and completed in advance.We present the following general formula for catalyzing the conversion of your client's paper judgment into something of tangible value (debt collection). In North Carolina, a judgment is enforceable for 10 years from the date it was entered. After that point, it no longer can be enforced and is expired. If you do not fill out the form or do not claim property as exempt, the plaintiff can then ask the sheriff to start the execution.