How do I collect on a court decision when I live in MD and the other person lives in OH?

Question

I received a favorable decision in Federal Banckruptcy court and now require assistance in collecting from the defendant who lives somewhere in OH. First how do I go about locating him and then how do I go about collecting? Another attorney, a collection agency or a private detective?

Answer 1

A judgment entered in a United States Federal Court may been forced in a State Court the same as any other sister state judgment. In addition, it may be registered and enforced in any other Federal District. The procedure to register a federal judgment in another Federal District requires that the Clerk of the Court complete a Court form entitled: “Certification of Judgment for Registration in Another District” to which the Clerk of the Court will attach a certified copy of the judgment. This is then filed in the Federal District Court where the creditor seeks to enforce the judgment. The filing fee is minimal and no notice of the filing is required to be given to the judgment debtor.

Upon filing, the judgment becomes a judgment of that District and the creditor can immediately seek to enforce the judgment. Federal Court judgments are enforced in accordance with the legal procedures authorized by the laws of the state where the Federal District Court is located.

Answer 2

You bring a copy of the court decisions to the local court in your state, and ask it to issue an order enforceing the judgment.