Washington Supplemental Proceedings: How to Find a Debtor's Assets After Judgment

You have a judgment, but you don't know where the debtor banks, whether they're employed, or what they own. Without that information, garnishment and execution are shots in the dark. Supplemental proceedings solve this — they let you haul the debtor into court and force them to disclose everything under oath.

What Supplemental Proceedings Are

Under RCW Chapter 6.32, supplemental proceedings are a court-ordered debtor examination. The judge issues an Order to Appear compelling the debtor to show up and answer questions about their real property, personal property, bank accounts, employment earnings, and any debts owed to them by third parties.

This is usually the smartest first enforcement step when you don't know the debtor's financial picture.

Filing Requirements

Upon entry, your small claims judgment is certified as a District Court civil judgment and entered on the District Court judgment docket under RCW 12.40.105. If it remains unpaid 30 days, you may request supplemental proceedings. File a Motion and Declaration for Order to Appear for Supplemental Proceedings with the District Court Civil Clerk. The fee is $20 under RCW 3.62.060(1)(c).

In your declaration, state that the judgment remains unsatisfied and that you need the debtor's financial information to pursue enforcement.

Serving the Order

The court issues the Order to Appear once your motion is approved. This order must be personally served on the debtor — mail service is not sufficient. Use a county sheriff or registered process server. Service must happen at least 20 calendar days before the scheduled examination date (RCW 6.32.010 and CRLJ 4).

You can include a subpoena duces tecum with the Order, requiring the debtor to bring specific financial documents to the hearing:

• Federal tax returns for the last two years
• Recent pay stubs and employment verification
• Bank statements (checking, savings, investment) for the last 6–12 months
• Vehicle titles, real estate deeds, and lease agreements

The Examination Hearing

The hearing takes place under oath before a judge or court commissioner. This is a recorded proceeding. Your questions should focus on locating assets you can reach through garnishment or execution:

• Where do they bank? Which branch?
• Who employs them? What do they earn?
• Do they own real estate, vehicles, or equipment?
• Does anyone owe them money?
• Do they have retirement accounts or other exempt assets?

Keep your questions factual and specific. You're mapping the debtor's financial landscape, not cross-examining a hostile witness.

What Happens If the Debtor Doesn't Show

If an affidavit shows danger that the debtor will abscond, the judge may order the sheriff to arrest the debtor under RCW 6.32.010(2). A debtor who refuses or without sufficient excuse neglects to obey a properly served order may be punished for contempt under RCW 6.32.180.

Public Records You Can Check First

Before filing, you can do some of your own investigation through public records:

• County Assessor records — real estate holdings, property values, tax assessments
• County Auditor filings — deed transfers, mortgages, liens
• Secretary of State Corporations Division — business registrations, LLC memberships, corporate officer roles

These searches are free and may reveal assets worth pursuing without the $20 filing fee and the wait for a hearing. But they won't show you bank accounts or employment — that's what the examination is for.

After the Examination

Once you know where the debtor's assets are, you can pick the right enforcement tool: wage garnishment if they're employed, bank garnishment if they have accessible funds, a writ of execution if they own seizable personal property, or a judgment lien if they own real estate.

Most judgment creditors use supplemental proceedings once to map the terrain, then proceed directly to the enforcement mechanism that matches what they found.

The Washington judgment collection guide includes an exam preparation log, asset discovery checklist, and step-by-step instructions for turning what you learn in supplemental proceedings into actual collection.

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