How can I enforce a small claims court judgment out-of-state?

If you have a small claims court judgment in Colorado and the person who owes you money (the debtor) is located in another state, there are several options available to you for enforcing the judgment. The first is usually the easiest and most cost-effective. Many states, including Colorado, have entered into reciprocal agreements with other states to allow enforcement of small claims court judgments. In these agreements, the court in the state where the debtor resides will recognize your small claims court judgment and allow you to begin collection proceedings. If there is no reciprocal agreement between Colorado and the state where the debtor resides, you will need to pursue enforcement of the judgment in the court where the debtor resides. This is known as “domesticating” the judgment, and requires you to file a petition to the court to request that the court recognize the judgment as valid and allow you to collect on it. The third option is to hire an attorney in the state where the debtor resides. This can be expensive but is often the most effective option. The attorney will be familiar with the laws and procedures of the state and can work with the court to ensure that the judgment is enforced. No matter which option you choose, it is important to remember that enforcing a small claims court judgment out-of-state can be difficult. It is in your best interest to speak with a lawyer before proceeding to ensure that you take all necessary steps.

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How can I enforce a small claims court judgment out-of-state?

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