Deficiency judgment

What is Deficiency judgment?

Where an execution sale or sheriff's sale of the defendant's property does not bring enough to pay the judgment or lien in full, the law may provide for the plaintiff to enter a deficiency judgment that will allow for collection of the remaining balance at a later date. Such remedies are highly dependent on the statutory law in that jurisdiction.

Further Reading

For more detailed information, see our related Civil Procedure terms:

• Third Party Defendant
• Relation Back
• Show Cause Order
• Sheriff's sale

Reviewed by

Stephanie Bagnall

Licensed Attorney and Legal Researcher

Stephanie Bagnall is a Georgia-licensed attorney and legal researcher with experience in accessibility law, compliance, employment law, and legal writing. She helps develop and review BarPrepHero's Legal Terms content for clarity, accuracy, and usefulness to bar exam students.

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