What enforcing a judgment costs
A judgment is only a piece of paper until you enforce it. To seize property or a bank account you ask the clerk for a writ of execution, hand it to the sheriff or marshal, and pay their fees up front - plus, in many counties, a commission taken out of whatever is actually collected.
Legal basis: Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 69(a) applies the enforcement procedure of the state where the court sits, so writ fees, levy fees and poundage are set county by county. When the US Marshals Service executes process, 28 C.F.R. §0.114 sets $65 per hour per process server plus expenses, and a commission on seized property sales. New York CPLR §8012 is a familiar example of statutory sheriff poundage at 5 percent of the amount collected. Figures are representative as of September 2026 - your county may differ, so confirm with the clerk before you file.
Enforcement costs are generally recoverable from the debtor, but only if there is enough property to reach. This calculator is for reference only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the order the clerk issues after judgment that authorizes an officer to seize a debtor asset - a bank account, wages or personal property - and apply it to the debt.
Many states let the sheriff keep a statutory percentage, often called poundage, of the money actually collected. New York sets it at 5 percent under CPLR §8012; other states use different rates or none.
Enforcement costs are usually added to the judgment and paid out of the proceeds first, but recovery still depends on the debtor having reachable assets.