How long is a judgment lien, like a FiFa, enforceable from the date of judgment?

A judgment lien, such as a FiFa (Fi.Fa. stands for "fieri facias," which is a legal term for a type of writ of execution), is enforceable for a period of seven years from the date of the judgment in Georgia. This duration is established by the state's laws regarding the enforcement of judgments, which stipulate that after the expiration of this time frame, the lien may no longer be legally enforced unless specific actions are taken to extend it.

This seven-year enforcement period gives the creditor a defined time frame to seek satisfaction of the judgment through execution against the debtor's assets. If the lien is not enforced within this period, the creditor may lose their ability to collect on that judgment in an enforceable manner, unless they obtain a renewal of the judgment before it expires. Understanding the duration of a judgment lien is crucial for community association managers to properly navigate financial matters and ensure that the association's interests are protected in collections and enforcement actions.