Vermont Judgment: Types, Records, Duration, and What to Expect

A judgment is the final decision made by a court in a civil dispute. In Vermont, judgments can come from various civil lawsuits. These can include debt collection cases, property disagreements, and family law issues. Depending on the nature of the civil case, a judgment might require one party to pay another, transfer ownership of property, or cease specific actions.

What Is a Judgment in Vermont?

A judgment is a legal document that outlines a court's decision regarding a civil dispute. This document clearly indicates who won the case and provides the reasons behind the court's ruling. As per Vermont's Court Procedure, Chapter 113, a judgment creates a lien on any real estate owned by the judgment debtor. It may also mandate one party to pay a specified amount or cease certain activities.

Once a judgment is recorded, it becomes legally binding. The party that won the dispute can ask the court to enforce the judgment if the other party has not paid or followed the rules in the judgment within 30 days. A judgment can be enforced by requesting a bank to freeze the debtor's account, placing a lien on real estate, or issuing a wage assignment order.

Types of Judgments in Vermont

Vermont courts issue several types of judgments depending on the nature of the case:

1. Interlocutory Judgment

This is a temporary order from the court that deals with initial issues or gives some relief before the case is completely settled.

2. Default Judgments

A default judgment occurs when a defendant fails to respond to a lawsuit or appear in court. The plaintiff automatically wins, and the court generally grants the requested relief.

3. Summary Judgment

This is a decision made by the court without going through a full trial. A summary judgment is applied when there are no real disagreements about the key facts of the case.

4. Monetary Judgment

Monetary judgment includes any ruling that gives financial compensation to the party that wins.

5. Non-monetary Judgment

Non-monetary judgment is a ruling that requires specific actions to be taken or stops a party from exhibiting specific behaviors. For instance, a non-monetary judgment may require a party to provide a service or transfer property.

How to Search for Judgments in Vermont

Judgments in Vermont are considered public records. This means that anyone can access these records. Judgments in this state can be accessed in a few different ways.

1. Clerk of Court Offices – Every county Superior Court maintains judgment records. You can search for records in person at the Superior Court location in your county.
2. Vermont Judiciary Public Portal: The Vermont Courts online portal allows the public to search civil, family, and criminal cases by name, case number, or attorney.
3. Town Clerk Offices: You can view lien-related judgments at your local town clerk’s offices.
4. Third-Party Services – Some third-party record service providers provide the public with access to Vermont court judgments and case records. However, official records are generally more reliable when obtained directly from the court. A significant benefit of third-party platforms is that they collect judgment records from all jurisdictions in the county, meaning they serve as a one-stop shop to check judgments from various jurisdictions.

Judgment records generally include:

• Case number
• Parties involved
• Court location
• Judgment date
• Amount owed or type of relief granted.

Judgment Records in Major Vermont Counties

Although Vermont is a small state, its counties manage judgment filings at the Superior Court level:

• Chittenden County (Burlington):Chittenden County Superior Court provides access to judgments through the Vermont Judiciary Public Portal. Court records are also available at the courthouse clerk’s office.
• Rutland County (Rutland): In Rutland County, judgment records can be accessed remotely online and in person at the Superior Court Clerk’s Office.
• Washington County (Montpelier):Washington County Superior Court provides access to records through the statewide portal. Interested persons can also submit a request for records in person at the county courthouse.

How Long Does a Judgment Last in Vermont?

In Vermont, a judgment usually lasts for eight years starting from the date the final judgment is given. You can extend a judgment for another eight years by starting a new case before the first eight years run out. This renewal can happen multiple times, which means judgments can stay active for many years if creditors handle them correctly.

A judgment allows creditors to collect money through liens, wage garnishments, or levies. For those who owe money, unresolved judgments can make it difficult to own property, get credit, and access financial opportunities.

What Happens After a Judgment Is Entered in Vermont?

Once a judgment is entered, creditors gain collection rights, and debtors face financial and legal consequences.

For Creditors:

• Wage Garnishment: Creditors can get court permission to take a portion of the debtor’s wages until the judgment is fulfilled.
• Judgment Liens: Creditors can file liens against a debtor’s real estate, restricting transfers until payment is made.
• Bank Levies: With court approval, money can be directly withdrawn from the debtor’s bank account to pay off the debt.

For Debtors:

• Credit Reporting: Judgments are usually reported to credit bureaus, which can make it difficult for debtors to get loans, housing, or jobs.
• Satisfaction of Judgment: After a debt is settled, the creditor is required to submit a Satisfaction of Judgment to the court to confirm that the debt has been cleared officially.
• Appeals or Motions to Vacate: If a debtor believes a judgment was made unfairly, they can appeal or request to have it overturned.