Alabama Writ of Execution: How Sheriff Levies Work After a Judgment

When wage garnishment isn't working and the debtor has tangible assets — a vehicle, equipment, inventory, valuable personal property — a writ of execution lets you send the sheriff to seize and sell those assets to satisfy your judgment. It's the most direct enforcement tool in Alabama, and also the most involved.

What a Writ of Execution Does

A Writ of Execution (Form C-20) is a court order directing the County Sheriff to take possession of the debtor's non-exempt personal property, sell it at public auction, and apply the proceeds to your judgment. It's governed by Alabama Code Title 6, Chapter 9 and ARCP Rule 69.

This is not self-help. You cannot go to the debtor's house and take their things. Only the sheriff executes a levy, and only under a court-issued writ.

How to Get the Writ

1. Apply at the District Court Clerk's office where your judgment was entered. Request a Writ of Execution (Form C-20). The fee is $30 in Cherokee, Jefferson, Mobile, and Jackson Counties, and $60 in Escambia County. Confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing.
2. Provide specific property descriptions. The sheriff needs to know exactly what to seize — location, description, and type of property. "The debtor's stuff" won't work. You need details like "2019 Honda Civic, VIN [number], typically parked at [address]" or "commercial kitchen equipment located at [business address]."

If you don't know what the debtor owns, post-judgment discovery under Rule 69 (written interrogatories or a debtor examination at the courthouse) can compel them to disclose their assets before you request the writ.

The Sheriff's Process

Once the sheriff receives the writ and your advance cost deposit:

1. Levy: The sheriff takes physical custody of the property or places it under legal control. For vehicles, this typically means towing. For goods at a business, the sheriff may padlock the premises or arrange storage.
2. Notice and advertising: The sheriff publishes notice of the upcoming sale according to statutory publication schedules.
3. Public auction: The seized property is sold to the highest bidder at a public sale.
4. Distribution: Sale proceeds are applied first to the sheriff's expenses (towing, storage, appraisal, publication), then toward your judgment. Any surplus goes back to the debtor.

Advance Deposit

The sheriff won't begin without money upfront. You'll need to deposit enough to cover estimated towing, storage, advertising, and sale costs. The exact amount depends on what's being seized — a vehicle levy costs more than seizing office equipment sitting in one location.

This deposit is recoverable from the debtor as an enforcement cost added to the judgment.

What's Exempt from Seizure

Alabama exempts certain personal property from execution under Ala. Code § 6-10-6:

• $7,500 total value in personal items, clothing, tools of the trade, and cash
• Homestead exemption (real property): up to $15,000 per individual owner, 160 acres

The debtor can file a Claim of Exemption after the sheriff levies. You then have 10 calendar days to contest the claim under Ala. Code § 6-10-26. If you don't contest, the sheriff must release the property.

When Execution Makes Sense

Property execution works best when:

• The debtor has identifiable, valuable, non-exempt property
• Wage garnishment isn't available (debtor is self-employed or unemployed)
• Bank garnishment came up empty
• The debtor has business assets or inventory

It's less practical for small judgments where sheriff costs could eat up a significant portion of the recovery. On a $1,000 judgment, spending $200+ on seizure and sale costs may not pencil out.

The Complete Enforcement Strategy

A writ of execution is typically a later-stage tool after garnishment options are exhausted. The Alabama Judgment Collection Guide maps out the full enforcement sequence — from asset discovery through garnishment to property execution — so you use the right tool at the right time.

See more Alabama guides →