Attorney’s fees for enforcing judgments

Can a judgment creditor get attorneys fees for its efforts in collecting the judgment?  No – unless the fees are “authorized” by contract, statute or law.”  If there is a “contract, statute or law,” can the creditor get fees for fighting with the debtor in bankruptcy court?  Probably yes if “the underlying judgment includes an award of attorneys’ fees.”

CCP 685.040.  The judgment creditor is entitled to the reasonable and necessary costs of enforcing a judgment. Attorney’s fees incurred in enforcing a judgment are not included in costs collectible under this title unless otherwise provided by law.  Attorney’s fees incurred in enforcing a judgment are included as costs collectible under this title if the underlying judgment includes an award of attorney’s fees to the judgment creditor pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (10) of subdivision (a) of Section 1033.5.

CCP 1033.5. (a) The following items are allowable as costs under Section 1032:

(10) Attorney’s fees, when authorized by any of the following:

(A) Contract.

(B) Statute.

(C) Law.

So opposing the discharge, opposing claimed exemptions, motions for relief?  See BAP decision in In re Gilman – here.

Leave a Reply


+ one = 9