After the debtor pays the judgment, you must:

• File an Acknowledgment of Satisfaction of Judgment; and
• Remove any liens you have placed on debtor's property.  

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Filing the Acknowledgement of Satisfaction

You must file an Acknowledgment of Satisfaction of Judgment (Form SC-290 or Form EJ-100) with the court after the debtor pays the judgment. Read Form SC-290 tp find out which of the 2 forms to use.

If the debtor makes a written request and you do not file the acknowledgment within 14 days, you can be held liable for all damages sustained, plus $50. For more information, check out Code of Civil Procedure section 116.850.

If there are no liens related to the judgment, you can sign the Acknowledgment of Satisfaction of Judgment on the back of your copy of the small claims judgment. If a lien exists, you will have to use Form EJ-100 and have it notarized before filing it with the court and recording a certified copy with the county recorder's office.

 

Removing liens you have placed on the debtor's property

You MUST remove liens that you have placed on the debtor's real and personal property.

To remove a real property lien, use an Acknowledgment of Satisfaction of Judgment (Form EJ-100) and have it notarized before filing it with the court. Then record a certified copy with the county recorder's office.

To remove a personal property lien, follow the instructions on the Judgment Lien Change Form (JL-3) and send it to California Secretary of State at the address showin on the JL3 form.