Writ of Execution

Definition

A court order authorizing the seizure and sale of a judgment debtor's property to satisfy a judgment. It's the final enforcement mechanism after you've won in court and the loser won't pay.

Example Usage

The court issued a writ of execution allowing the sheriff to seize the defendant's assets.

Origin

Medieval English common law procedural remedy

Fun Fact

Writs of execution have complex rules about what property can be seized and in what order

Source: Judgment enforcement terminology

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