Judgments and Enforcement:

A money judgment obtained in the State of New York is generally enforceable for a period of twenty (20) years.  (Chptr. 8, Art. 2, Sec. 211, New York State Consolidated Laws.)   It may be enforced against any property which could be assigned or transferred, whether it consists of a present or future right or   interest  and  whether or not it is vested, unless it is exempt from application to the satisfaction of the judgment. A money judgment entered  upon a   joint  liability of two or more persons may be enforced against individual property of those persons summoned and  joint  property  of  such persons with any other persons against whom the judgment is entered. (Chptr. 8, Art 52, Sec. 5201, New York State Consolidated Laws.)   In general, ninety  per   cent (90%) of  the earnings of the judgment debtor for his personal services rendered within sixty days before,  and  at  any  time after,  an   income  execution is delivered to the sheriff,  is exempt from execution of a money judgment.  (Chptr. 8 Art. 52, Sec. 5205(d), New York State Consolidated Laws.)

A money judgment generally may become a lien against the real property of a judgment debtor either from the time of the docketing of the judgment with the clerk of the county in which  the  property is  located until ten years after filing of the judgment-roll, or from the time of the filing with such clerk of a notice  of   levy pursuant to an execution until the execution is returned.  (Chptr. 8 Art. 52, Sec. 5203, New York State Consolidated Laws.)

The State of New York  permits Confession of Judgment. A debtor may execute an affidavit stating the sum for which judgment may be entered, authorizing the entry, and stating the county where he resides, or if he is a non-resident, the county in which the judgment may be entered.  The  judgment  may be docketed and enforced in the same manner and with the same effect as a judgment in an action in the supreme   court.   No  judgment by confession may be entered after the defendant's death.  (Chptr. 8, Art. 32, Sec. 3218, New York State Consolidated Laws.)
 

Foreign Judgments:

Any judgment, decree, or order of a court of the United States or of any other court is entitled to full faith and credit in the State of New York.   A judgment creditor may seek enforcement of a foreign judgment by filing an authenticated copy of the foreign state judgment, issued within 90 days of the date of authentication  in the   office  of  any  county  clerk  of  the state, together with an affidavit  stating  that the  judgment  was  not   obtained  by default in appearance or by confession of judgment, that it is unsatisfied  in  whole  or  in part,  the  amount remaining unpaid, and that its enforcement has not been stayed, and  setting  forth   the  name and  last  known address of the judgment debtor. Within   thirty days after filing of the judgment and the affidavit, the  judgment   creditor shall  mail  notice  of  filing  of  the   foreign judgment to the judgment debtor at his last known address.  The   proceeds  of  an execution  shall  not  be   distributed  to  the judgment creditor earlier than thirty days after filing of proof of service.  (Chptr. 8, Art. 54, Sec. 5401, et seq., New York State Consolidated Laws.)

A judgment so filed has the same effect and is subject to the same procedures, defenses and  proceedings  for reopening,  vacating,  or  staying  as   a judgment of the supreme court of the State of New York and may be  enforced   or  satisfied  in  like manner. (Chptr. 8 Art. 54, Sec. 5402(b), New York State Consolidated Laws.)

Interest:

Legal rate:  Six per cent (6%) per annum (Chptr. 24-A, Art. 5, Sec. 5-501, New York State Consolidated Laws.)

Judgment Rate:  Nine per centum (9%) per annum, except where otherwise

provided  by statute.  (Chptr. 8, Art. 50, Sec. 5004, New York State Consolidated Laws.)

In general, a debtor may claim exemption of his homestead and certain personal property from attachment and execution of a judgment, or in a bankruptcy proceeding.

Under Chptr. 8, Art. 52, Sec. 5206 of the New York State Consolidated Laws, property   of  one  of  the  following  types,  not   exceeding ten thousand dollars in value above liens and encumbrances, owned and occupied  as a principal residence, is exempt from application to the satisfaction of a money judgment,  unless  the  judgment  was recovered wholly for the purchase price thereof:
        1.  a lot of land with a dwelling thereon,
        2.   shares   of    stock   in   a  cooperative  apartment corporation,
        3.  units of a condominium apartment, or
        4.  a mobile home.

Some of the personal property exemption which may be claimed by a debtor may include all stoves kept for use in the judgment debtor's dwelling house and necessary fuel therefor for sixty days;  one  sewing  machine  with  its appurtenances; the  family  bible,  family pictures, and school books used by the judgment debtor or in the family; and other books, not  exceeding  fifty dollars  in  value,  kept  and  used  as  part of the family or judgment debtor's library; a seat or pew occupied by the judgment debtor or the   family  in  a place of public worship; domestic  animals  with   the  necessary food for those animals for sixty days, provided that the total value of such animals and food  does not  exceed  four  hundred   fifty  dollars;  all necessary food actually provided for the use of the judgment debtor  or  his  family  for  sixty days; all   wearing  apparel, household furniture, one mechanical, gas or electric refrigerator, one radio receiver, one television set, crockery, tableware and cooking utensils necessary for the judgment debtor and the family;  a wedding ring; a watch not exceeding thirty-five dollars in value; and necessary working  tools  and   implements,  including  those  of  a mechanic,  farm machinery, team, professional instruments, furniture and library, not exceeding six hundred dollars in value, together  with  the necessary  food for the team for sixty days, provided, however, that the articles specified in this paragraph are necessary to the carrying on of the judgment debtor's profession or calling.  In addition, a judgment debtor may also be entitled to exemption, to the extent allowed under the statute, certain portions of income, trust, security deposits, insurance policy, New   York  state  college  choice tuition savings program trust funds, award in a matrimonial action, and retirement plan funds.  (Chptr. 8, Art. 52, Sec. 5205, New York Consolidated Laws.)

In  accordance  with  the provisions of 11 U.S.C. Sec. 522(b),   debtors  domiciled  in the State of New York are not authorized to exempt from the estate property that is specified under subsection (d) of such section.   (Chptr. 12, Art. 10-A, Sec. 284, New York State Consolidated Laws.)