Real estate title glossary
What is satisfaction of judgment?
Definition
A satisfaction of judgment is a document filed by the creditor confirming a court judgment was paid, which releases the judgment lien on the debtor's real property.
If the creditor does not file one after payment, the debtor can usually ask the court to compel it.
How it shows up in a title search
A judgment with no recorded satisfaction is treated as open by a search, even if it was paid.
Guides that go deeper
- Judgment Liens: How a Court Judgment Attaches to Real PropertyA money judgment becomes a lien on real property only once it is docketed in the county. How attachment, duration, renewal and name indexing work.
- Abstract of Judgment: What It Is and How It Creates a Lien on Real PropertyAn abstract of judgment is a short court summary recorded in a county to lien real property. Texas: 10 years. California: 10 years from entry. How to find one.
- Release of Lien: What It Is, Who Files It and How to Get OneA release of lien is the signed document that ends a lien on property once the debt is paid. Who signs it, how to get one, and how to confirm it was recorded.
Related terms
Source: Legal Information Institute, Wex: satisfaction. Plain-English summary of general US usage; state law varies, and this is not legal advice.