A Judgment Is Only Worth What You Can Collect

Winning in court can feel like the finish line, but for many creditors it’s only the halfway point. A judgment is a court’s confirmation that you’re owed money — it doesn’t force the other side to actually pay. When a debtor won’t pay voluntarily, you need enforcement tools, and you need to know which assets are worth pursuing. The enforcement lawyers at Getz Collins and Associates help creditors in Calgary, Strathmore, and across Alberta turn judgments into recovered dollars.

How Enforcement Works in Alberta

Judgment enforcement in Alberta is governed primarily by the Civil Enforcement Act, RSA 2000, c C-15The starting point is usually a writ of enforcement, which you register against the debtor. Once registered, it opens the door to a range of collection mechanisms.

The Enforcement Tools Available to You

• Garnishment — capturing money owed to the debtor by others, such as wages from an employer or funds in a bank account;
• Writ of enforcement against land and property — attaching to the debtor’s real estate and other assets, and potentially forcing a sale;
• Seizure and sale of assets — a civil enforcement agency seizes and sells the debtor’s non-exempt personal property (vehicles, equipment, inventory);
• Examination in aid of enforcement — compelling the debtor to answer questions under oath about their income, assets, and finances, so you can target collection effectively; and
• Distribution through the enforcement system — Alberta’s regime can require sharing proceeds among registered creditors, which is why timing and registration matter.

We help you sequence these strategically based on what the debtor actually owns.

Finding the Assets

The hardest part of enforcement is often simply locating something to collect against. A debtor who claims to have nothing may have wages, a bank account, a vehicle, an interest in property, or money owed to them by others. The examination in aid of enforcement is a powerful, underused tool — it puts the debtor under oath and obliges them to disclose. We use it to build a clear picture before spending money chasing dead ends.

Enforcing Out-of-Province and Foreign Judgments

If you obtained a judgment elsewhere and the debtor or their assets are in Alberta, we can help you register and enforce it here, including under the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Act for judgments from reciprocating jurisdictions, or by action for others. The right route depends on where the judgment came from.

A Note on Time Limits

A judgment in Alberta is generally enforceable for ten years and can be renewed. Writs of enforcement also have their own registration durations and renewal requirements. While you have more time here than with the underlying claim, delay still works against you — assets disappear, debtors relocate, and other creditors register ahead of you. Acting promptly improves your odds of recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

I won my case but the debtor won’t pay. Now what?

You move to enforcement. After registering a writ of enforcement, you can pursue garnishment, seizure and sale of assets, attachment to property, and an examination to uncover what the debtor has. We help you choose the most effective combination.

How can I find out what assets a debtor has?

The examination in aid of enforcement compels the debtor to answer questions under oath about their income, bank accounts, property, and assets. It’s one of the most effective ways to locate something worth collecting against.

Can I garnish someone’s wages or bank account?

Yes, garnishment lets you intercept money owed to the debtor, including wages and bank funds, and have it directed to you, subject to certain exemptions that protect a portion of income. We handle the process and the limits that apply.

Can I enforce a judgment I got in another province?

Often, yes. Judgments from reciprocating jurisdictions can be registered in Alberta under the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Act; others may require a separate action. We advise on the correct path based on where your judgment originated.

Contact Getz Collins and Associates today — your partner in collecting what you’re owed. Contact Us | Calgary: 587-391-5600 | Strathmore: 403-934-2500