Sister-State Judgments: When an Out-of-State Creditor Comes to California

A judgment from Texas or New York can be converted into a California judgment with full collection powers — but the conversion has its own rules and its own attack windows.

What the Law Says

Under the Sister State Money Judgments Act, a creditor applies for entry of the foreign judgment in California, and the debtor has 30 days after service of notice to move to vacate on grounds including lack of jurisdiction in the original court or that the judgment is not final or was obtained without due process.

How to Handle It, Step by Step

1. Note the service date of the notice of entry — the 30-day vacate window is strict.
2. Examine the original case: were you ever subject to that state’s jurisdiction? Properly served there?
3. Move to vacate the sister-state judgment on any jurisdictional or due process defect.
4. If the underlying judgment is valid, shift to California exemption defenses for enforcement.
5. Negotiate knowing conversion costs and defenses give even valid foreign judgments a settlement price.

Common Questions

I never lived in or visited the state that issued the judgment. Does that matter?

It may be decisive — a court without personal jurisdiction over you issued a judgment California will not enforce, if you raise it in time.

Is the vacate motion different from attacking a California default?

Yes — you are attacking recognition of the foreign judgment, with its own statutory grounds, which is why the 30-day notice window deserves same-week attention.