The Best Way to Collect a Judgment in Illinois

“The life of the law has not been logic, it has been experience.” – Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

I took my first law job in 1984. Let that sink in—that’s over four decades of legal experience. After beginning my career at a large firm handling commercial litigation, I’ve spent the past 25+ years focusing exclusively on obtaining and enforcing judgments. It’s a complex area of law, which might explain why many of my clients are fellow attorneys.

One question I hear often is: “What’s the best way to collect on a judgment in Illinois?”

While every case has its own nuances, here’s my best, experience-driven answer.

The Basics: Enforcing What a Defendant Won’t Do Voluntarily

At its core, collecting on a judgment means compelling a Defendant to do something they don’t want to do—pay. The standard method many attorneys rely on is issuing a Citation to Discover Assets to the Defendant. Think of it as a deposition focused on the Defendant’s finances. Other states call it a “debtor’s examination.”

Here’s the problem: this method depends on the Defendant’s cooperation. Unsurprisingly, many Defendants are less than truthful—or simply ignore the process. After incurring thousands in legal fees, you may eventually get a bench warrant issued for noncompliance. But once arrested, the Defendant bonds out and the cycle starts over.

Not good. Not efficient. Not cost-effective.

The Better Way: Go Straight to the Money

Instead of spending time and money asking the Defendant “Where’s your money?”—do some basic investigating.

• Did the Defendant ever pay you before?

• Check your bank records. If you received a check or payment, you might already know where they bank.

Here’s the golden nugget:

People rarely change banks, even after a judgment. The hassle of switching all their online payments and direct deposits keeps them loyal.

If you can identify the Defendant’s bank, issue a Citation to Discover Assets to the bank—not the Defendant. After serving the bank, their account is frozen before they even know what hit them. Once the bank confirms the funds, you file a Motion for Turnover—and the money is sent directly to you.

Aside from a few exceptions (like Social Security or pension income), there’s very little the Defendant can do to stop it. That’s why this is the best method to collect on a judgment in Illinois. Full stop.

Other Third Parties: Where Else Is the Money?

This approach doesn’t just apply to banks. We’ve successfully issued Citations to:

• Brokerage firms

• Employers

• Business partners

• Clients

• Even gaming platforms

If a third party holds or owes money to the Defendant, that money can often be redirected to satisfy your judgment.

What If You Don’t Know Where the Money Is?

If you’re starting with nothing, don’t worry—the Citation to the Defendant isn’t your only option.

Instead, consider hiring a private investigator for an asset search.

• For smaller judgments, a basic report (~$750) might uncover a bank account or vehicle.

• For larger judgments, a full asset search (ranging from ~$1,200–$2,500) could uncover valuable details, including balances and ownership records.

We’ve discovered:

• Bank and brokerage accounts

• Investment properties

• Luxury vehicles (yes, even Aston Martins)

• Condos

• Even private aircraft

Return on Investment Matters

Even if a single bank account doesn’t cover the full judgment, it can yield a strong return—and fund further collection efforts. That’s the key: turn legal action into financial recovery, not just legal steps for the sake of process.

I work on flat fees so clients always know what their investment is upfront. No surprises. Just results.

If you need help collecting on a judgment in Illinois, let’s talk. Email: doug@illinoisattorney.com

We look forward to helping you turn your judgment into real dollars.