How Long Is a Judgment Good for in Indiana

The debtor has no job and no assets right now. Does that mean your judgment is worthless? Not in Indiana, where you have a long window to wait for circumstances to change.

The 20-Year Presumption

Under IC 34-11-2-12, a judgment is presumed paid and satisfied after 20 years, but that presumption is rebuttable; 20 years is not an automatic expiration date. Proceedings supplemental are not subject to a 10-year filing limit. Execution issued more than 10 years after judgment or a prior execution requires a motion, leave of court, and 10 days' personal notice under IC 34-55-1-2, unless the adverse party is absent, a nonresident, or cannot be found.

This gives Indiana judgment creditors a long period to pursue collection, subject to the different rules for liens and execution.

Judgment Liens Last 10 Years

Under IC 34-55-9-2, a judgment lien on real property lasts 10 years from the date of judgment entry. If the lien expires before the debtor sells or refinances, the lien no longer attaches to the property, although proceedings supplemental remain available and execution may still issue with a motion, leave of court, and 10 days' personal notice unless a statutory exception applies.

To renew a judgment and obtain a new lien, a creditor may file a new action on the judgment before the 10-year lien period ends. This is a separate court case, not simply re-recording the old lien.

Interest Keeps Accruing

Post-judgment interest is 8% simple interest per year under IC 24-4.6-1-101 unless a written contract judgment specifies a lower rate, in which case the lower rate applies. A contract rate above 8% is capped at 8%.

At the 8% rate, a $5,000 judgment accrues $400 per year. After 10 years of non-payment, the debtor owes $9,000. After 20 years, the balance reaches $13,000 — without a single voluntary payment.

This gives you a financial reason to be patient. A debtor who is judgment-proof today might buy a house, start a business, or land a well-paying job in a few years. Your judgment grows while you wait.

What "Judgment-Proof" Actually Means

Being judgment-proof is not a legal status — it is a practical description. A debtor whose income is below the garnishment floor, whose bank account holds only exempt federal benefits, and who owns no non-exempt property is effectively uncollectible right now.

But circumstances change. A debtor who is judgment-proof at 25 may have a career, a bank account, and a house by 35. Your judgment and its applicable post-judgment interest will be waiting.

The key is to keep your judgment active. File proceedings supplemental periodically to check on the debtor's financial situation. Record judgment liens against any real property that appears. Each time you re-examine the debtor's finances, you may discover new enforcement opportunities.

Renewal Before Expiration

If the judgment remains unpaid, a creditor can file a new action on the judgment before the 10-year lien period ends to seek a new judgment and lien. Execution issued more than 10 years after judgment or a prior execution requires a motion, leave of court, and 10 days' personal notice unless a statutory exception applies. After 20 years, the judgment is presumed paid, but the presumption can be rebutted. Because these procedures differ, consult a lawyer about the specific judgment.

For most small claims judgments, 20 years is more than enough time. The debtor's financial situation is likely to change significantly at least once in two decades.

The Practical Takeaway

Do not write off a judgment because the debtor cannot pay today. Record your lien, track the applicable interest, and revisit the debtor's situation periodically through proceedings supplemental. Indiana's 20-year presumption of satisfaction is rebuttable, and proceedings supplemental are not subject to a 10-year filing limit.

The Collecting a Small Claims Judgment in Indiana guide covers the full timeline — from the post-judgment waiting period through each enforcement tool to final satisfaction — with all the forms and deadlines in one place.

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