Wyoming Judgment Debtor Examination: How to Find Hidden Assets

When You Don't Know What the Debtor Owns

You won your small claims case in Wyoming Circuit Court, but you have no idea where the debtor works, which bank they use, or whether they own anything worth seizing. Without that information, you can't file a garnishment or execution writ — you'd be guessing, and wrong guesses cost $25–$50 in sheriff service fees each time.

Wyoming allows post-judgment discovery under Wyo. Stat. § 1-17-402. After entry of judgment, a creditor may obtain discovery from any person, including the debtor, by interrogatories, depositions, or other methods allowed by the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure. A deposition lets you ask questions under oath about assets and income.

How to Request the Examination

The discovery process depends on the method you choose:

1. Choose a discovery method. Under Wyo. Stat. § 1-17-402(a), you may use interrogatories, a deposition, or another discovery method permitted by the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure. The statute does not require a separate motion and supporting affidavit before discovery.

2. Serve discovery under the applicable rule. Follow the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure for the method you choose. If you need documents, use a subpoena that complies with Rule 45.

3. Conduct the discovery. At a deposition, you ask the questions under oath. Interrogatories are written questions answered under the rules. Ask about assets and income that can help you select an enforcement method.

What You Can Ask About

The scope of examination covers essentially everything financial:

• Current employer, job title, and pay rate
• All bank and credit union accounts (name, branch, approximate balance)
• Real property owned in any Wyoming county
• Vehicles, boats, trailers, and equipment
• Business interests, accounts receivable, and corporate shares
• Retirement accounts and investment holdings
• Monthly income from all sources
• Regular expenses and existing debts

The goal isn't just to find one garnishable asset — it's to build a complete picture of the debtor's financial position so you can choose the most effective enforcement tool.

What Happens If the Debtor Doesn't Show Up

Section 1-17-402 does not create an automatic show-cause hearing or bench warrant for missed discovery. If the debtor does not comply with discovery, seek relief under the applicable Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure.

After the Examination

If the debtor reveals non-exempt assets, the court can issue an order under Wyo. Stat. § 1-17-411 directing the debtor to deliver specific property or funds to the sheriff or court clerk. From there, you proceed with the appropriate collection tool:

• Identified employer → Writ of Continuing Garnishment
• Bank account with funds → Writ of Non-Continuing Garnishment
• Tangible personal property → Writ of Execution
• Real property → Judgment lien through transcript recording

If discovery reveals that the debtor has no non-exempt assets — they're unemployed, rent their home, and their only income is Social Security — you've at least confirmed the situation. A real-property lien requires the transcript filings described in Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-17-306 and 1-17-304; do not assume a filing in a county where the debtor owns no real estate reaches property acquired later. The judgment accrues interest as provided by Wyo. Stat. § 1-16-102 while you wait.

The Complete Process

The Wyoming judgment collection guide includes post-judgment discovery guidance with sample questions organized by asset category, instructions for serving discovery and subpoenas, and a decision tree for selecting the right enforcement tool based on what you learn.

See more Wyoming guides →