Money owed to you

Someone owes me money and a court agrees

Winning the case and getting paid are two different jobs. A judgment is just paper until you collect on it. Here's how Nevada lets you do that, and how long it stays good.

What to do first

1. If you haven't sued yet and the amount is $10,000 or less, file in Small Claims at the justice court for the township where the person lives, works, or where the debt arose (NRS 73.010). No lawyer required, low filing fee, simpler process than district court.

2. Once you have a judgment, record it to get a lien. Recording a certified copy of the judgment with the county recorder puts a lien on any real property the debtor owns in that county — now or later (NRS 17.150(2)).

3. If they won't pay voluntarily, use a writ. A writ of execution lets the sheriff/constable levy on non-exempt property. A writ of garnishment lets you reach wages, bank accounts, or money a third party owes the debtor (NRS 31.240).

4. Know what you can't touch. Nevada exempts a long list of property from collection — most household goods up to $12,000, one vehicle up to $15,000 equity, tools of the trade up to $10,000, and wages: generally 82% of disposable weekly earnings is protected if gross pay is $770/week or less, 75% if it's more — or 50 times the federal minimum wage, whichever protects the debtor more (NRS 21.090(1)(f)–(g)).

5. Track the clock — a judgment lien doesn't last forever. A recorded judgment lien runs 6 years from docketing and can be renewed before it expires (NRS 17.150(2)). Use the deadline calculator with your docketing date to see when it runs out.

Quick facts

Small Claims limit	$10,000
Judgment lien duration	6 years from docketing, renewable (NRS 17.150)
Wage exemption, lower earners	82% of disposable weekly earnings if gross pay ≤ $770/week
Wage exemption, higher earners	75% of disposable weekly earnings if gross pay > $770/week
Household goods exemption	up to $12,000
Vehicle equity exemption	up to $15,000

Programs and help that apply

Clark County Family Court / Justice Court Self-Help Center — Small Claims forms, writ of execution and writ of garnishment packets, free.

Clark County Recorder's Office — where you record a judgment to create a lien.

Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada — if the debtor is contesting or hiding assets.

Matched local attorneys and services will run here as paid placements once approved — none are live yet. locked

Each one teach one

Before you spend money on a writ, ask the debtor (or search public record) whether they even have non-exempt property or wages to collect from — a "judgment-proof" debtor with nothing but exempt property and no job means collection costs more than it recovers. Renewing a lien before the 6 years run out just means re-recording the same paperwork; it does not require a new lawsuit.