Won – and now what? Enforcement
Getting your money with a title: account and wage garnishment, bailiff, and disclosure of assets – depending on what the opposing party has.
A judgment or enforcement order is a title – but the money is not yet in your account. If the opposing party does not pay voluntarily, you must enforce the claim. In the cockpit, the enforcement assistant helps you choose the right path.
Prerequisites
- An enforceable title (judgment, enforcement order, etc.).
- An enforceable copy with an enforcement clause (§ 724 ZPO).
- The title has been served to the opposing party (§ 750 ZPO).
Which path? It depends on what the opposing party has
- Bank account → Garnishment and transfer order (PfÜB) at the enforcement court (§§ 829, 835 ZPO). Note: P-account protection.
- Wages/Salary → Garnishment order against the employer; garnishment exemption limits apply (§ 850c ZPO).
- Movable property / Cash → Order to the bailiff (Gerichtsvollzieher) (§ 808 ZPO).
- You don't know? → Have the disclosure of assets (Vermögensauskunft) taken via the bailiff (§ 802c ZPO) – then garnish specifically.
- Real estate → Compulsory mortgage/compulsory auction – complex, professional help is recommended here.
Official form is mandatory
For the enforcement order to the bailiff (also for the disclosure of assets) and for the garnishment and transfer order, the official form is mandatory (§ 829 para. 4 ZPO or Zwangsvollstreckungsformular-Verordnung based on § 753 para. 3 ZPO) – a freely formulated application will not be accepted. The enforcement assistant in the cockpit therefore explains the appropriate path and leads you directly to the forms via "Open official forms (justice portal)"; the forms themselves are free of charge. You fill them out with the information from your title (court, case reference number, amounts).
The assistant appears in proceedings where you are the plaintiff as soon as a judgment is available. The paths above apply to Germany; in Austria (Exekutionsordnung) and Switzerland (SchKG), separate rules apply – please inquire locally.
This is general guidance, not legal advice – please check the form and jurisdiction with the court.
Related topics: Filing a lawsuit yourself with AI support – the Litigation guide · Having court mail explained in plain English · What does a lawsuit cost? Understanding the cost risk · When to Choose a Lawyer Over AI?
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