Nebraska Post-Judgment Interest Rate: How to Calculate What You're Owed

Every day your Nebraska judgment goes unpaid, interest is adding to the balance. Post-judgment interest accrues automatically by operation of law — you don't need to file anything for it to start. But most judgment creditors either don't know they're entitled to it or have no idea how to calculate it when filing garnishment paperwork.

The Current Rate

Nebraska's post-judgment interest rate is set semi-annually by the State Court Administrator under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 45-103. The rate is based on the 26-week U.S. Treasury bond yield plus two percentage points.

As of July 16, 2026, the rate is 5.970% per annum.

The rate is adjusted semi-annually. Before filing any garnishment or enforcement paperwork, check the current rate and effective date at the Nebraska Judicial Branch website under Administrative Policies.

How Interest Accrues

Post-judgment interest is simple interest — not compound — calculated on the unpaid principal balance from the date the judgment was entered until fully satisfied.

The daily interest formula:

Daily interest = Unpaid principal × (annual rate ÷ 365)

For a $3,000 judgment at 5.970%:

$3,000 × (0.05970 ÷ 365) = $0.49 per day

Over six months (180 days), that's $88.33 in accrued interest on top of the original $3,000.

How Partial Payments Are Applied

When the debtor makes a partial payment — whether through garnishment, a voluntary check, or a sheriff's sale — Nebraska follows a standard allocation order:

1. Court-taxed costs first — filing fees, service fees, certified mail fees
2. Accrued interest next — all interest accumulated to the payment date
3. Principal last — whatever remains reduces the original judgment balance

This allocation matters because interest going forward accrues on the reduced principal. Using the example above: if the debtor pays $1,000 six months after judgment, the allocation is:

• $65.00 to court costs (if $65 in taxed costs)
• $88.33 to accrued interest
• $846.67 to principal ($1,000 − $65 − $88.33)
• New principal: $2,153.33
• New daily interest: $2,153.33 × 0.00016356 = $0.35 per day

After a partial payment, every garnishment filing should reflect the updated principal balance. Overstating the balance invites challenges from the debtor.

What Counts as Taxable Costs

You can add certain costs to the judgment balance:

• Initial small claims filing fee ($30)
• Service of process fees ($20–$30 for sheriff service)
• Certified mail costs ($11)
• Transcript fees for judgment liens

Only court costs that are allowable and taxed by the clerk should be added to the judgment balance.

You cannot add attorney fees or private collection agency fees to a small claims judgment balance. Other expenses should be added only if they are allowable court costs taxed by the clerk.

Keeping a Running Ledger

Every creditor should maintain a post-judgment balance ledger that tracks:

• The original principal and date of judgment
• Each accrued interest calculation (by date range and rate)
• Every taxable cost added (with the receipt or filing date)
• Every payment received (date, amount, and allocation)
• The remaining balance after each transaction

This ledger is your proof when filing garnishment paperwork, requesting a debtor examination, or eventually filing the Satisfaction of Judgment. Without it, you're guessing at numbers — and a debtor who challenges an inflated balance can delay enforcement.

Rate Changes Mid-Collection

If the rate changes while you're in the middle of collecting, calculate interest at each rate for the period it was in effect. Use the new rate from its effective date forward.

This rarely matters for small claims balances where the difference between rates is measured in pennies per day, but keeping your ledger accurate protects you from challenges.

The Nebraska Judgment Collection Guide includes a printable Post-Judgment Balance Ledger with the interest formula built in, plus instructions for handling rate changes and partial payment allocations.

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