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Civil litigation

judgments

The judgment is final decision made by the judge or jury that reflects how much the party who lost the lawsuit (the judgment debtor) owes the party who won the lawsuit (the judgment creditor)—including the rate of interest owed on the amount of the judgment until it is paid, the amount of court costs, and possibly the amount of the judgment creditor’s attorney fees the judgment debtor must pay as part of the judgment.

In Michigan, a judgment is the final decision made by a judge or jury at the conclusion of a lawsuit. It specifies the amount of money that the losing party, known as the judgment debtor, must pay to the winning party, or judgment creditor. The judgment will include the principal amount owed, along with any applicable interest that accrues until the debt is paid in full. Additionally, the judgment may encompass court costs and, in some cases, attorney fees if the court finds it appropriate to award them. The rate of interest on judgments in Michigan is set by statute and can vary depending on whether the judgment is based on a written instrument or not. Once entered, a judgment is enforceable for a period of time, typically 10 years, and can be renewed. It is important for judgment debtors to understand that failing to satisfy a judgment can lead to further legal consequences, such as wage garnishment or liens on property.

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Civil litigation

judgments

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Michigan State Code

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Civil litigation

judgments

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