If you're overwhelmed with debt, there's still hope. Our automated software will help you resolve your debt and move forward.

Reply to a lawsuit
Settle your debt
loading...

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

George Simons, JD/MBA Hannah Locklear
Written by George Simons, JD/MBA , Edited by Hannah Locklear
Last updated on May 01, 2026

Summary: Thinking that old judgment will expire soon and you'll be able to move on with your life? Think again. In North Carolina, a judgment can be renewed once, extending its enforceability for an additional 10 years beyond the original 10-year period.

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.

SoloSettle
4.7 (635)

Settle your debt for a fraction of what you owe

SoloSettle negotiates directly with creditors — no lawyers, no fees upfront.

$2.5B+
Protected
~40%
Avg. Savings
3 min
To Start

"Well worth it. I could not have done this without assistance."

J
Jerry S. Verified
Make an Offer Now

No credit card required · Takes 3 minutes

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.

Savings Calculator

How much could you save each month?

Your total debt
$10,000
$3,000 $50,000
Credit card payments
$287
/month
at 24.99% APR
for 5+ years
With SoloSettle
$172
/month
settle for less
resolve in months
You save $115 /month
Make an Offer Now

Credit card payment estimated at 24.99% APR over 60 months. Settlement estimate based on industry averages. Actual results vary.

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.


>>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



SoloSettle by SoloSuit

Settle your debt
Save thousands

Make a settlement offer in minutes — no lawyers, no upfront fees.

$2.5B+
Protected
~40%
Avg. Savings
Make an Offer
4.7 from 635 reviews


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

Debt collector guides

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

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.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a great way to legally resolve debt, but it's usually best to consider it as a last resort. Here are some bankruptcy guides to help you decide which debt resolution option is best for you.

Check your case status

Don't have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We've created state guides on how to check the status of your case throughout the US, complete with online search tools and court directories.

Credit

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, along with other credit-related resources.

Debt collection FAQs

Find answers to some of our the most commonly-asked questions about debt collection below.

Debt collection documents and templates

If you're dealing with debt, these documents and templates will help you respond, protect your rights, negotiate, and resolve your debts.

Debt relief

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 settlement

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

Eviction

Facing an eviction? The following guides will help you navigate your situation with confidence.

Federal debt collection laws

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.

Legal aid

Helping people find access to justice is at the heart of Solo's misison. If you're dealing with a legal debt issue, the following guides will help you through it.

Medical debt

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

Personal finance

Learn how to manage your finances and overcome crushing debt. Check out our personal finance guides below.

State debt collection laws

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

Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote guides on each state's statutes and more.

Stop collection calls

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.

Wage garnishment

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 your state, plus other wage garnishment resources.

The Debt Hotline

Hosted by Team Solo, The Debt Hotline breaks down debt and personal finance topics with help from attorneys, financial experts, and industry pros. We respond to real questions to help you navigate debt with knowledge and courage.

Other debt resources


Contents