Collecting a Judgment in Nevada: What to Do After You Win Small Claims

The Court Won't Collect for You

Winning a small claims judgment in Nevada feels like the finish line. It's not. The Justice Court enters a judgment in your favor — and then does absolutely nothing to put money in your hands. Under NRS Chapter 73, it's your job to track down the debtor's assets and use the court's enforcement tools to get paid.

That gap between "you win" and "you get paid" trips up thousands of Nevada judgment creditors every year. Here's the process from start to finish.

Check the Appeal Window and Any Stay

Under NRS 73.040, the losing party has 5 days after judgment entry to appeal to District Court for a trial de novo. Filing an appeal alone doesn't stop collection. Enforcement may begin upon entry of judgment unless a statutory or court-ordered stay takes effect; the court can stay execution if the debtor posts approved security.

Mark the judgment-entry date and check the docket for an appeal and any stay order before serving execution papers.

Figure Out What the Debtor Owns

If you already know where the debtor banks or works, skip to the enforcement tools below. If you don't, Nevada gives you one powerful option: the judgment debtor examination.

You file an Ex Parte Motion and Order for Examination of Judgment Debtor with the Justice Court. The court orders the debtor to appear under oath and answer questions about their income, bank accounts, vehicles, real estate and other assets. They have to bring documents — pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns — if you list them in the order. The court can issue a civil bench warrant if they don't show.

Public records help too. The County Assessor's website shows real property. The Secretary of State's business portal reveals corporate ownership and registered agents.

Pick Your Enforcement Tool

Nevada offers several collection methods, and you can use more than one at a time:

• Wage garnishment — a 180-day continuous withholding order served on the debtor's employer through the Sheriff or Constable. Senate Bill 142 expanded wage protections effective April 1, 2026: up to $850 of weekly disposable earnings is protected, and wage-protection percentages increased. Use the post-update limits when calculating withholding.

• Bank levy — a one-time freeze on nonexempt funds in the account when the officer serves the writ. The bank has 20 days to file interrogatory answers; separately, the debtor has 10 days from the Notice of Execution postmark to claim an exemption.

• Real property lien — record an Abstract of Judgment with the County Recorder ($25 from the court clerk) and you create a lien on every piece of real estate the debtor owns in that county. The lien lasts 6 years and blocks any sale or refinance until your judgment is paid. Nevada's homestead exemption protects up to $605,000 in primary-residence equity, so liens work best when the debtor has a second property or significant equity.

• Personal property seizure — the constable or sheriff can seize and sell nonexempt personal property like business equipment, inventory or cash registers. Vehicle seizures are possible but risky because Nevada exempts up to $15,000 in motor vehicle equity ($30,000 for married debtors).

Bank levies, wage garnishments and personal-property seizures start with a Writ of Execution from the court clerk ($25 filing fee); the real-property lien route uses an Abstract of Judgment. For bank levies and wage garnishments, the officer packet also includes target-specific instructions and a $5 garnishee check payable to the bank or employer.

Don't Forget Interest and Renewal

Your judgment accrues post-judgment interest under NRS 17.130 at the prime rate plus 2%, recalculated every January 1 and July 1. That interest adds to the amount due over time.

Judgments expire after 6 years. To keep yours alive, you must file an Affidavit for Renewal of Judgment within the 90-day window immediately before the 6-year anniversary. Miss that window and you lose the right to collect entirely.

Close the Case Properly

Once the debtor pays in full — whether voluntarily, through garnishment, or after a levy — you're legally required to file a Satisfaction of Judgment with the court. If you recorded a lien, you also need to file a release with the County Recorder. Skipping this step exposes you to court-ordered penalties.

The Whole Process in One Place

If you're looking at all of this and wondering where to start, the Nevada Judgment Collection Guide walks through every step with the exact forms, fees, officer instructions and deadlines for each enforcement tool. It includes worksheets for tracking interest, organizing your execution packet, and preparing for a debtor examination — everything the court's free forms don't explain.

See more Nevada guides →