Strategic Enforcement. Local Execution. Results That Convert Judgments into Recovery.
At Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C., we represent out-of-state and international creditors in collecting judgments against debtors with assets or business interests in Connecticut. Whether you are a lender, commercial creditor, or foreign entity, we provide strategic, results-driven counsel to domesticate your judgment and enforce it efficiently under Connecticut law.
Why Domestication Is Required
Creditors holding judgments from other U.S. states, or in some cases foreign countries, must take specific legal steps before initiating collection efforts in Connecticut. A judgment from outside the state cannot be enforced here unless it is first properly domesticated through Connecticut’s judicial system.
We represent lenders, financial institutions, and other judgment creditors in domesticating and enforcing foreign judgments with speed, precision, and legal rigor. Our approach is practical and disciplined, focused on converting judgments into recoveries as efficiently as possible.
Domestication of Foreign Judgments
Connecticut has adopted the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act (UEFJA), codified at Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-604 et seq., which provides a streamlined process for recognizing and enforcing judgments issued by courts in other U.S. states. For international (non-U.S.) judgments, we pursue recognition under Connecticut common law principles of comity.
Our Services Include:
Authentication and Filing
We prepare and file all documents required to domesticate a judgment in Connecticut, including obtaining a properly authenticated copy in compliance with the Full Faith and Credit Clause.
Notice to Judgment Debtor
We ensure timely and compliant service of notice to the judgment debtor, as required under Connecticut law.
Defense Management
If the debtor challenges domestication, citing lack of jurisdiction, improper service, or prior satisfaction, we respond promptly and strategically to preserve the enforceability of the judgment.
Recognition of Foreign-Country Judgments
For judgments issued outside the United States, we initiate a civil action in Connecticut Superior Court to obtain recognition under common law. Our approach addresses key factors including due process, reciprocity, and public policy considerations.
Post-Judgment Collection and Enforcement
Once a foreign judgment is domesticated, it is treated as a Connecticut judgment and becomes subject to the full array of post-judgment collection remedies available under state law. Our attorneys act swiftly to identify and secure assets with the goal of maximizing recovery for our clients.
Available Enforcement Tools Include:
Bank Executions
Court-authorized seizure of debtor bank accounts through execution served by a state marshal. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-367b)
Wage Garnishments
Wage withholding orders issued to employers to deduct and remit a portion of earnings toward satisfaction of the judgment. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-361a)
Property Executions
Seizure and sale of personal property, such as vehicles, equipment, or inventory, owned by the debtor. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-356a)
Real Property Liens and Foreclosures
Recording judgment liens against Connecticut real estate, with the option to initiate foreclosure proceedings to enforce the lien. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-380a)
Discovery in Aid of Execution
Use of subpoenas, depositions, and debtor examinations to uncover and locate hidden or undisclosed assets. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-351b et seq.)
Charging Orders
Attachment of a debtor’s interest in Connecticut-based LLCs or partnerships to intercept distributions and secure payment. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 34-259b, 34-339, 34-373)
Representative Matters
We have successfully handled the domestication and enforcement of foreign judgments for clients across industries and jurisdictions:
Florida Judgment Against Relocated Guarantor
We represented a commercial lender that had obtained a judgment in Florida against a guarantor who had relocated to Connecticut. We domesticated the judgment, identified local bank accounts, and executed levies, satisfying the debt in full within weeks.
Recognition and Enforcement of German Judgment
On behalf of a European manufacturing company, we secured Connecticut court recognition of a German judgment against a U.S.-based distributor. We executed on the distributor’s inventory and receivables, recovering a substantial portion of the judgment.
Coordinated Multi-State Enforcement Strategy
In connection with a $1.2 million commercial judgment, we led Connecticut-based enforcement efforts, including judgment liens, UCC lien enforcement, and post-judgment discovery, while coordinating with co-counsel in multiple jurisdictions to support a unified, cross-border recovery strategy.
Trusted, Cost-Effective Enforcement Counsel
Creditors rely on Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. for practical, efficient, and results-focused judgment enforcement strategies. We understand the urgency and financial impact of delayed recoveries and provide responsive, disciplined representation that turns legal victories into tangible results.