What happens after a creditor wins a garnishment judgment?

The period after a garnishment judgment has been issued can be especially confusing for borrowers. Seng Kui Lim/Getty Images After months of collection calls, warning letters and legal notices, many borrowers assume the worst is over once a creditor takes them to court over their unpaid debt, which millions of Americans are dealing with in today's high-rate, high-debt landscape. But for creditors, winning a judgment against a borrower with delinquent credit card or personal loan debt is often just one step in a much longer process of collecting what's owed. That's because a court judgment issued against a borrower doesn't automatically put money in a creditor's hands. Rather, it gives the creditor powerful legal tools that can be used to recover the money owed for the balance, as well as any interest and fees that have accrued as the debt has gone unpaid. Depending on the situation, that could mean garnishing wages , freezing bank accounts or pursuing other assets permitted under state law. In turn, the period after a garnishment judgment can be especially confusing for borrowers. Many are unsure how quickly collection efforts can begin and whether they still have options to resolve the debt . So, what actually happens after a creditor wins a garnishment judgment? That's what we'll examine below. Find out about the debt relief options you qualify for today . …