Post-Judgment Collection Procedures

Writ of Fieri Facias (Fi Fa)

A Writ of Fi Fa is a document that is issued by the Clerk of Court's Office for the purpose of recording a lien on the judgment debtor's property. It is also the legal instrument by which the sheriff of a county may seize the assets of a judgment debtor. A Writ of Fi Fa may be issued on a default judgment case immediately. If the case was contested, then a Writ of Fi Fa may not be issued until 10 days after a date of judgment. The cost for a Writ of Fi Fa is the sum of $29.

Request a Writ of Fi Fa

A Writ of Fi FA may also be used to perfect a lien upon any motor vehicles that the judgment debtor owns. There is a special process to go through in perfecting that judgment lien. Appropriate forms are available to you through the Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicles Division. You must send a self-addressed envelope, a check for $1 for each vehicle, and a copy of the Fi Fa to:
Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division
P.O. Box 740381
Atlanta, GA 30374-0381

Recording

A Writ of Fi Fa is recorded by our court for you upon the General Execution Docket, which is maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. If you know of any other real property or seizable assets the judgment debtor owns in other counties, you should apply to the clerks of such counties to have the Writ of Fi Fa recorded upon the General Execution Dockets of those counties, as well.

When the judgment is paid in full, you as the judgment creditor have the duty to see that the Writ of Fi Fa is canceled on the appropriate General Execution Docket(s). There is an additional fee for this service and that matter is handled through the Clerk of Superior Court in the respective counties wherein the Writ of Fi Fa is filed.

More Information

For more information on how to Perfect a Judgment Lien or Levy, view a Summary of How to Perfect a Judgment Lien or Levy Upon Judgment Debtor's Automobile and Release of Lien (PDF).

Garnishments

A garnishment is a separate legal action that is filed against the garnishee. The garnishee is a person or business entity that either owes funds to the judgment debtor, or is holding funds on behalf of the judgment debtor. A garnishment could be used against a bank, credit union, employee, general contractor, etc. A garnishment is filed in the county where the garnishee is located. Cost for filing in Liberty County is $108.

The Plaintiff or Judgment holder is obligated to notify the Defendant that they have filed a Garnishment against them, as governed by the Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) Section 18-4-8 (PDF). It is important that the Plaintiff be aware of what they are required to do. If they fail to follow the procedure set forth in the above referenced Code section the Court will not disburse any funds until the Certificate of Service is received, along with all other required documents. Please click the above referenced Code section to learn more.

Garnishment Exemptions  

There are a number of garnishment exemptions; view a full list of garnishment exemptions.

Continuing Garnishment

A continuing garnishment is used when the judgment debtor is a wage earner. It lasts for a period of 180 days and the appropriate sums will be deducted from the judgment debtor's wages on a 30 day recurring basis until the entire judgment amount is collected, or until the expiration of 180 days from the date of service, whichever event shall first occur. A continuing garnishment is filed in the county where the garnishee is located. Cost for filing is $108.

For more information, view the Continuing Garnishment Guide (PDF).

Post-Judgment Interrogatories

The purpose of the Post-Judgment Interrogatories is to ascertain what the assets, if any, the judgment debtor has to satisfy this judgement debt. It can be as much as a five-step process. Those steps are as follows:

1. Plaintiff files his affidavit and the interrogatories. They are available in the Clerk's Office of the Magistrate Court. The cost varies according to where the judgment was entered. If the judgment was entered in the Liberty County Magistrate Court the filing fee is $10; the Clerk's office will service the judgment debtor by certified mail with return receipt requested or statutory overnight delivery. Please note, that if a Plaintiff is attempting to serve a judgement debtor through their place of employee the certified mail must be sent restricted delivery to ensure proper service on the judgement debtor. If the judgment was entered in any other court a new civil case shall be filed; the filing fee is $52 in addition to a sheriff's service fee of $50. Service upon the judgment debtor would be by the sheriff.
2. If the interrogatories are not answered within 30 days, then the judgment creditor must file an Affidavit and Motion to Require Answers to the interrogatories and the appropriate notice. This is served upon the judgment debtor by certified mail. Return receipt requested.
3. If the judgment debtor fails to appear at the hearing, the court may, in appropriate circumstances, issue an Order requiring the judgment debtor to answer the interrogatories, within 10 days. This is served upon the judgment debtor by certified mail return receipt requested.
4. If there is no response to the Court Order requiring answers to the interrogatories, then the judgment creditor must file an Affidavit and Motion to invoke Sanction of Contempt for Defendant's Failure to Answer interrogatories, plus the appropriate notice. This must be personally served on the Defendant by the sheriff. Also, a copy of the previous order is served upon the judgment debtor, as well. Sheriff Service fee is $50.
5. If the defendant fails to appear at the hearing, or in the event he does appear and does not have a bona fide reason for not answering the interrogatories, then the Court may enter an Order for Incarceration. Judgment debtor is then arrested by the sheriff and held in the Liberty County Jail until the interrogatories are answered and approved by the Magistrate.

More Information

Please note that this is only an overview of the various procedures available to you. You may wish to consult legal counsel if you have difficulties in collecting the judgment lawfully due you. Our office can assist you in filling out the forms herein above set forth.

A Writ of Fi Fa, Garnishment, Continuing Garnishment, and Post-Judgment Interrogatory are filed in or mailed to:
Liberty County Clerk of Courts Office
201 South Main Street
Suite 1200
Hinesville, GA  31313