Start My Answer

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

George Simons | December 01, 2022

When a judgment is renewed, collection efforts can start all over again.

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 Guides for Other States

Here's a list of guides for other states.

All 50 states.

Guides on How to Beat Every Debt Collector

Being sued by a different debt collector? We're making guides on how to beat each one.

Win Against Credit Card Companies

Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.

Going to Court for Credit Card Debt — Key Tips

How to Negotiate Credit Card Debts

How to Settle a Credit Card Debt Lawsuit — Ultimate Guide

Get Answers to These FAQs

Need more info on statutes of limitations? Read our 50-state guide.

Why do debt collectors block their phone numbers?

How long do debt collectors take to respond to debt validation letters?

What are the biggest debt collector companies in the US?

Is Zombie Debt Still a Problem in 2019?

SoloSuit FAQ

If a car is repossessed, do I still owe the debt?

Is Portfolio Recovery Associates Legit?

Is There a Judgment Against Me Without my Knowledge?

Should I File Bankruptcy Before or After a Judgment?

What is a default judgment?— What do I do?

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?

What Happens If Someone Sues You and You Have No Money?

What Happens If You Never Answer Debt Collectors?

What Happens When a Debt Is Sold to a Collection Agency

What is a Stipulated Judgment?

What is the Deadline for a Defendant's Answer to Avoid a Default Judgment?

Can a Judgement Creditor Take my Car?

Can I Settle a Debt After Being Served?

Can I Stop Wage Garnishment?

Can You Appeal a Default Judgement?

Do I Need a Debt Collection Defense Attorney?

Do I Need a Payday Loans Lawyer?

Do student loans go away after 7 years? — Student Loan Debt Guide

Am I Responsible for My Spouse's Medical Debt?

Should I Marry Someone With Debt?

Can a Debt Collector Leave a Voicemail?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

What Happens If a Defendant Does Not Pay a Judgment?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

Can You Serve Someone with a Collections Lawsuit at Their Work?

What Is a Warrant in Debt?

How Many Times Can a Judgment be Renewed in Oklahoma?

Can an Eviction Be Reversed?

Does Debt Consolidation Have Risks?

What Happens If You Avoid Getting Served Court Papers?

Does Student Debt Die With You?

Can Debt Collectors Call You at Work in Texas?

How Much Do You Have to Be in Debt to File for Chapter 7?

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Debt in Washington?

How Long Does a Judgment Last?

Can Private Disability Payments Be Garnished?

Can Debt Collectors Call From Local Numbers?

Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?

The Truth: Should You Never Pay a Debt Collection Agency?

Should You Communicate with a Debt Collector in Writing or by Telephone?

Do I Need a Debt Negotiator?

What Happens After a Motion for Default Is Filed?

Can a Process Server Leave a Summons Taped to My Door?

Learn More With These Additional Resources:

Need help managing your finances? Check out these resources.

How to Make a Debt Validation Letter - The Ultimate Guide

How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney

How to Stop Wage Garnishment — Everything You Need to Know

How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)

Defending Yourself in Court Against a Debt Collector

Tips on you can to file an FDCPA lawsuit against a debt collection agency

Advice on how to answer a summons for debt collection.

Effective strategies for how to get back on track after a debt lawsuit

New Hampshire Statute of Limitations on Debt

Sample Cease and Desist Letter Against Debt Collectors

The Ultimate Guide to Responding to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Utah

West Virginia Statute of Limitations on Debt

What debt collectors cannot do — FDCPA explained

Defending Yourself in Court Against Debt Collector

How to Liquidate Debt

Arkansas Statute of Limitations on Debt

You're Drowning in Debt — Here's How to Swim

Help! I'm Being Sued by My Debt Collector

How to Make a Motion to Vacate Judgment

How to Answer Summons for Debt Collection in Vermont

North Dakota Statute of Limitations on Debt

ClearPoint Debt Management Review

Indiana Statute of Limitations on Debt

Oregon Eviction Laws - What They Say

CuraDebt Debt Settlement Review

How to Write a Re-Aging Debt Letter

How to Appear in Court by Phone

How to Use the Doctrine of Unclean Hands

Debt Consolidation in Eugene, Oregon

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next

How to Make a Debt Settlement Agreement

Received a 3-Day Eviction Notice? Here's What to Do

How to Answer a Lawsuit for Debt Collection

Tips for Leaving the Country With Unpaid Credit Card Debt

Kansas Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection

How to File in Small Claims Court in Iowa

How to File a Civil Answer in Kings County Supreme Court

Roseland Associates Debt Consolidation Review

How to Stop a Garnishment

Debt Eraser Review