How Long Does a Small Claims Judgment Last in New Hampshire?

20 Years to Collect

Under RSA 508:5, a New Hampshire judgment remains enforceable for 20 years from the date it was entered. That gives you two full decades to pursue collection if the debtor does not pay right away.

This 20-year lifespan is one of the longer windows in the country. Many states give you only 10 years, and some require renewal after 5. In New Hampshire, the clock starts on the date the judgment was entered and runs continuously.

Individual Enforcement Tools Have Their Own Rules

While the judgment itself lasts 20 years, the specific tools you use to collect have their own expiration dates:

• Writs of Execution remain valid for 13 months from the date of issuance. If the sheriff has not levied on property within that window, you need to request a new writ.
• Real estate judgment liens recorded under RSA 524:13 remain in force as long as suit may be maintained on the judgment under RSA 508:5. They may be re-recorded during that period.
• Motions for Periodic Payments can be filed multiple times. Each new motion forces a fresh financial examination, so you can revisit enforcement as the debtor's circumstances change.

The underlying judgment does not need to be renewed within the 20-year period. A properly recorded RSA 524:13 judgment lien lasts as long as suit may be maintained on the judgment, while a Writ of Execution expires after 13 months and requires a new writ.

Interest Accrues the Entire Time

Post-judgment interest runs for the full life of the judgment under RSA 336:1, II. The 2026 rate is 5.7% simple interest per annum. On a $5,000 judgment, that is roughly $285 per year — over $5,700 in interest alone across 20 years if the debtor pays nothing.

Every year that passes without payment increases what the debtor owes. Interest is calculated as simple interest (not compounding), and the rate is reset annually by the State Treasurer based on Treasury bill rates.

Why the Long Window Matters

Many debtors are temporarily judgment-proof — they have no reachable assets today but may in the future. A 20-year window means you can:

• Record a judgment lien at the Registry of Deeds in the county where the debtor's real estate is located, with the affidavit and first-class notice required by RSA 524:13, and wait for the debtor to sell or refinance
• Revisit enforcement when the debtor gets a new job, opens a business, or inherits property
• File new Motions for Periodic Payments periodically to check the debtor's financial status under oath

The cost of filing a judgment lien is just $10 for a Certificate of Judgment plus recording fees. For a long-shot debtor, that small investment preserves your claim for two decades.

What Happens After 20 Years

Once the 20-year statute of limitations expires, the judgment becomes unenforceable. You lose the ability to file motions, issue writs, or maintain liens based on it. If there is any realistic chance of collection, pursue enforcement before the deadline.

For a complete strategy guide covering every enforcement tool — when to use each one, how much it costs, and how to track payments and interest over the life of a judgment — see our Collecting a Small Claims Judgment in New Hampshire guide.

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