If you hold a civil judgment against a defendant in Pennsylvania, your ability to collect depends on three things: knowing where the defendant lives today, knowing what they own that’s leviable under Pennsylvania law, and knowing how long you have to act.

VerdictIntel runs all three. Licensed in Pennsylvania. Court-admissible reports. Senior investigator review on every case.

Pennsylvania judgment law at a glance

• Judgment duration: 20 years initial term.
• Renewal: Real-property liens last 5 years and must be revived. Money judgments enforceable for 20 years.
• Post-judgment interest: 6% per year (legal rate).
• Wage garnishment: Wage garnishment generally NOT available for consumer debts (only for landlord-tenant, taxes, child support, certain student loans).
• Homestead exemption: No state homestead exemption; federal exemption applies in bankruptcy.
• Courts of original jurisdiction: Court of Common Pleas (each county).

What this means for your case

Pennsylvania’s lack of wage garnishment for most debts pushes enforcement toward bank levies, real-property liens, and writs of execution against personal property. The 5-year lien renewal is a frequent trap — calendar this date carefully.

Our services in Pennsylvania

• Defendant Locate — current address, phone, email, known associates. From $49 flat. 24–48 hour turnaround.
• Standard Asset Search — comprehensive in-state report. From $247 flat. 5–7 business days.
• Skip Tracing — multi-source location work for evasive defendants.
• Judgment Monitoring — quarterly surveillance to flag changes in the defendant’s financial picture.

How to get started

Submit a case through the form on our home page or call 346-396-2500. A senior investigator will respond within one business hour during business days.

This page provides general information about Pennsylvania judgment-enforcement law and is not legal advice. State law changes; verify current statutes with counsel before relying on this summary. VerdictIntel is an investigative agency, not a law firm.