HB583 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve HurstRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Civil practice, civil actions, satisfaction of judgements, procedure provided, Secs. 6-9-213, 6-9-222 added.

Summary

The bill creates a formal process requiring acknowledgment of satisfaction for money judgments to release liens and clarify rights for creditors and debtors.

What This Bill Does

It adds a defined procedure ( Sections 6-9-213 through 6-9-222 ) for how money judgments are satisfied and how the court and parties handle that satisfaction. It requires the judgment creditor to file an acknowledgment of satisfaction with the court and to serve a copy on the judgment debtor, and it allows the judgment debtor to demand such filing. It also sets rules for when the court clerk records satisfaction, requires notices and service, and provides penalties and remedies for noncompliance.

Who It Affects

• Judgment creditors who obtain money judgments, who must file an acknowledgment of satisfaction with the court and serve the judgment debtor when the judgment is satisfied
• Judgment debtors or property owners with liens, who will receive notice of satisfaction and may demand that the creditor file the acknowledgment
• County clerks, recorders, and courts, who file, record, and issue certificates and notices related to judgment satisfaction
• Assignees and secured parties, whose interests are affected by the release of the judgment lien and related notices

Key Provisions

• Adds sections 6-9-213 through 6-9-222 to establish the satisfaction process for money judgments
• Money judgments can be satisfied by full payment or acceptance of a lesser sum in full satisfaction
• If satisfaction is by levy, acknowledgment arises only after the levying officer pays the full amount; if by noncash payment, acknowledgment arises only after payment is honored
• The court clerk must enter satisfaction in the register of actions when certain events occur, such as a writ being returned satisfied or an acknowledgment being filed
• The judgment creditor must file an acknowledgment of satisfaction with the court and serve the judgment debtor when the judgment is satisfied
• If an abstract of judgment has been recorded, the creditor must file and serve acknowledgment and release the lien in all counties where the abstract is recorded; notice to be given if a notice of judgment lien exists
• A judgment debtor or other interested party may demand that the creditor file or deliver an acknowledgment of satisfaction with a 15 day deadline and may seek court relief if the creditor fails to comply
• If the creditor fails to comply, damages and a 100 dollar penalty may be awarded to the demanding party
• The acknowledgment of satisfaction must include specified information such as court title, case number, names, dates, and whether abstracts or notices have been recorded
• A certificate of satisfaction may be issued by the court clerk for a 25 dollar fee, certifying satisfaction details

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Civil Practice