Start My Answer

How Many Times Can a Judgment Be Renewed in North Carolina?

George Simons | December 11, 2023

George Simons
Co-Founder of SoloSuit
George Simons, JD/MBA

George Simons is the co-founder and CEO of SoloSuit. He has helped Americans protect over $1 billion from predatory debt lawsuits. George graduated from BYU Law school in 2020 with a JD-MBA. In his spare time, George likes to cook, because he likes to eat.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Summary: Thinking that old judgment will expire soon and you'll be able to move on with your life? Think again. Find out how many times a judgment can be renewed in North Carolina.

So, a judgment was entered against you in the state of North Carolina a couple of years ago. You heard that in 10 years the judgment will expire. Thinking that in eight short years this too shall pass. Many people in this same situation decide to roll the dice. They decide to play the waiting game and allow the judgment to expire thinking then they will be in the clear. They think the creditor is out of luck in their ability to collect on this judgment. Some may also believe that now that the judgment has expired, it will somehow come off their credit report.

This is simply flat-out wrong. A judgment issued in the state of North Carolina can be renewed. Though it technically isn't a renewal as much as the creditor or holder of the judgment can file a motion before the expiration of the original judgment to extend the original judgment. If the court approves and grants the motion, the “new” judgment has a time period of 10 years that the creditor can affect a collection on the judgment.

Why a Creditor Might Renew a Judgment

In the state of North Carolina, a judgment may be granted this “renewal” one time. Ultimately giving every judgment granted in the state a shelf life of 20 years. Now the waiting game doesn't look all that enticing. Keep in mind, that the creditor, entity, or individual that is holding the judgment has many collection methods available to them in which they can satisfy the judgment with or without the cooperation of the individual who is the subject of the judgment.

File a response to debt collection lawsuits in 15 minutes with SoloSuit.

There are some guidelines that the creditor has to follow to be able to have the lien granted in the original judgment transfer to the renewed judgment but that shouldn't be the reason an individual takes a chance if a judgment has been granted against them by taking no action.

It should never be taken for granted that a creditor wouldn't attempt to renew a judgment. If a company went to the time and expense of securing the judgment, it stands to reason that if they have been unsuccessful at executing the judgment, they would also spend the cost of giving themselves another decade in which to collect the money owed to them.

What a Creditor Can Do to Execute a Judgment

Once a judgment has been granted, the creditor has a piece of paper that is court-approved that stipulates that they are entitled to a specific amount of money from the person named in the judgment. Securing the judgment alone doesn't put money in the bank account of the creditor.

The creditor still has work to do to determine if the person has any assets. If they own land or a house, the creditor may be able to put a lien against that property. So, if the person wanted to sell the land or house, they wouldn't be able to without first satisfying the lien that has been placed against that property. Many states will exempt a house as a homestead property which would not be subject to a lien.

Respond to debt collectors with SoloSuit and protect your property.

While some states allow creditors who have been granted a judgment to garnish wages, that is not allowed in the state of North Carolina for a judgment from a debt. Before you feel sorry for the holder of the judgment, there is another method to execute a judgment. That would be with a lien against the person's bank account. If the judgment hasn't been paid, the creditor would be able to attach a lien against the bank account which could freeze the account. Any money would go towards paying the balance of the judgment.

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to respond to a debt collection lawsuit.

How it works: SoloSuit is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your answer. Upon completion, you can either print the completed forms and mail in the hard copies to the courts or you can pay SoloSuit to file it for you and to have an attorney review the document.

Respond with SoloSuit

"First time getting sued by a debt collector and I was searching all over YouTube and ran across SoloSuit, so I decided to buy their services with their attorney reviewed documentation which cost extra but it was well worth it! SoloSuit sent the documentation to the parties and to the court which saved me time from having to go to court and in a few weeks the case got dismissed!" – James


Get Started


>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit: A Student Solution To Give Utah Debtors A Fighting Chance

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

Guides on how to resolve debt with every debt collector

Are you being sued by a debt collector? We’re making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

Resolve your debt with your creditor

Some creditors, banks, and lenders have an internal collections department. If they come after you for a debt, Solosuit can still help you respond and resolve the debt. Here’s a list of guides on how to resolve debt with different creditors.

Settle your medical debt

Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.

Guides on arbitration

If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

Stop calls from debt collectors

Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it’s a debt collector on the other line? If you’ve been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we’ll tell you how to stop them.

Federal debt collection laws can protect you

Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

Get debt relief in your state

We’ve created a specialized guide on how to find debt relief in all 50 states, complete with steps to take to find relief, state-specific resources, and more.

Debt collection laws in all 50 states

Debt collection laws vary by state, so we have compiled a guide to each state’s debt collection laws to make it easier for you to stand up for your rights—no matter where you live.

Statute of limitations on debt state guides

Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote a guide on each state’s statutes. Check it out below.

Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection by State (Best Guide)

Check the status of your court case

Don’t have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We’ve created a guide on how to check the status of your case in every state, complete with online search tools and court directories.

How to stop wage garnishment in your state

Forgot to respond to your debt lawsuit? The judge may have ordered a default judgment against you, and with a default judgment, debt collectors can garnish your wages. Here are our guides on how to stop wage garnishment in all 50 states.

Other wage garnishment resources

How to settle a debt in your state

Debt settlement is one of the most effective ways to resolve a debt and save money. We’ve created a guide on how to settle your debt in all 50 states. Find out how to settle in your state with a simple click and explore other debt settlement resources below.

How to settle with every debt collector

Not sure how to negotiate a debt settlement with a debt collector? We are creating guides to help you know how to start the settlement conversation and increase your chances of coming to an agreement with every debt collector.

Other debt settlement resources

Personal loan and debt relief reviews

We give a factual review of the following debt consolidation, debt settlement, and loan organizations and companies to help you make an informed decision before you take on a debt.

How to repair and improve your credit score

Debt has a big impact on your credit. Below is a list of guides on how to repair and improve your credit, even while managing major debt.

How to resolve student loan debt

Struggling with student debt? SoloSuit’s got you covered. Below are resources on handling student loan debt.

Civil law legal definitions

You can represent yourself in court. Save yourself the time and cost of finding an attorney, and use the following resources to understand legal definitions better and how they may apply to your case.

Get answers to these FAQs on debt collection

How-to debt guides

Learn more with these additional debt resources


It only takes 15 minutes.
And 50% of our customers' cases have been dismissed in the past.

"Finding yourself on the wrong side of the law unexpectedly is kinda scary. I started researching on YouTube and found SoloSuit's channel. The videos were so helpful, easy to understand and encouraging. When I reached out to SoloSuit they were on it. Very professional, impeccably prompt. Thanks for the service!" – Heather


Get Started