How to Renew a California Judgment

In California, a judgment expires 10 years after the judgment is entered. However, the 10-year judgment enforcement period can be extended by renewing the judgment. See CCP 683.110(a).

Renewal of the judgment is automatic if a renewal application is timely filed with the California court that entered the judgment. However, a judgment cannot be renewed within 5 years of a previous renewal. See CCP 683.110(b). This is to prevent creditors from renewing judgments too often to take advantage of compound interest. This can be important because California judgments accrue interest at the rate of 10% per year. When a judgment is renewed, interest then accrues on the original amount of the judgment plus interest which has been added to the judgment prior to renewal. In other words, following renewal, interest accrues on previous interest.

When renewing judgments in California, creditors should file renewal applications well prior to the 10-year deadline, in case the court rejects the renewal application. Creditors should also be mindful of the ability to compound interest by filing renewal applications well prior to the 10-year deadline, although not sooner than 5 years from any previous renewal.

If you need assistance in renewing a California judgment, our firm is happy to speak with you. Our firm enforces judgment and collects debt throughout California.