Mississippi Judgment Collection Fees: What Garnishment and Execution Actually Cost

Every enforcement tool in Mississippi has a price tag you pay up front before the constable moves. Knowing these costs lets you decide whether the likely recovery justifies the expense — especially on smaller judgments where fees can eat a meaningful share of the award.

Standard Fee Schedule

Post-judgment fees in Mississippi Justice Courts are set by Miss. Code §§ 25-7-25 and 25-7-27. These are the baseline statutory amounts:

Post-judgment filing fee: $15 per writ of garnishment, levy, or execution. Paid to the Justice Court Clerk under Miss. Code § 25-7-25(1)(c).

Constable or sheriff service fee: $45 per process served. Paid through the Justice Court Clerk under Miss. Code § 25-7-27(1)(a)(i). If you need service on an additional household member at the same address, that costs $5 per person under § 25-7-27(1)(a)(ii).

Circuit Court judgment enrollment: Varies by county under Miss. Code § 25-7-13 — typically $5 to $6. Paid to the Circuit Court Clerk when you file an Abstract of Judgment to create a real property lien.

Appeal processing: $5 under Miss. Code § 25-7-25(1)(g), though this is paid by the party appealing, not the creditor.

What Each Enforcement Action Costs

A single wage or bank garnishment costs $60 at minimum: $15 filing fee plus $45 service fee. If you garnish the debtor's employer and their bank simultaneously, that doubles to $120.

A writ of execution costs the same $60 base, but may require additional deposits. The constable or sheriff can ask for an advance to cover towing, bonded storage, and newspaper advertising for the public auction. Those variable costs depend on what property is being seized and where it is located.

Enrolling a judgment lien on the Circuit Court Judgment Roll runs $5 to $6 per county. If the debtor owns property in three counties, expect $15 to $18 in enrollment fees. Ask the Justice Court Clerk about any fee for issuing certified Abstracts.

Ask the Justice Court Clerk to confirm the filing and service fees for a debtor examination before filing.

Can You Recover These Costs?

Yes. Allowable post-judgment enforcement fees are taxed to the judgment debtor's balance. When you collect through garnishment, execution, or voluntary payment, costs are paid first from the proceeds — before interest and before the principal judgment.

Costs added to the balance help only if you ultimately collect. If no money is recovered, the fees you advanced remain an out-of-pocket expense.

Fee Waivers

Indigent creditors can file an Affidavit of Indigency (In Forma Pauperis) to request a waiver of basic filing fees. However, the waiver covers only clerk charges — not constable or sheriff execution costs, towing, storage, or auction advertising. Third-party enforcement expenses are not covered.

Cost-Benefit Calculation

On a $3,500 maximum Justice Court judgment, a single $60 garnishment represents less than 2% of the award. Even two enforcement actions ($120) leave you collecting over 96% of the judgment.

Where the math gets tighter is on small judgments. On a $500 judgment, $60 in fees is 12% of the award. Filing multiple writs that fail because the debtor is garnishment-proof can eat a quarter of the judgment in non-recoverable costs if you never collect.

Running a debtor examination before committing to garnishment or execution lets you confirm the debtor has reachable assets. Ask the Justice Court Clerk about the examination's fees before filing; the information it produces can prevent you from throwing good money after bad.

The Mississippi Judgment Collection Guide includes a fee worksheet and enforcement tool decision matrix that factors in cost-to-recovery ratios for each tool based on the debtor's known asset profile.

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