In Calgary, a civil court judgment generally remains legally valid for exactly 10 years. If the debtor has not fully paid within this timeframe, you can apply to the Alberta court to renew the judgment for another 10 years, with filing fees typically ranging from $50 to $250 CAD.
Winning a civil lawsuit and receiving a formal judgment from a judge is a major milestone, but it does not guarantee immediate payment. 💰 In Alberta, if the losing party refuses to pay voluntarily, you have a specific window of time to forcefully collect the debt using legal enforcement tools. Under the provincial Limitations Act, your court judgment has a strict expiry date, and failing to act before this deadline can result in losing your right to collect the money forever.
Many judgment creditors mistakenly believe that a court order lasts a lifetime. 📅 Fortunately, if you are nearing the end of your collection window and the debtor still owes you money, you can apply to extend the lifespan of your judgment. Consulting with a civil litigation lawyer in Calgary can help you navigate this renewal process efficiently so you do not accidentally forfeit your hard-earned legal victory.
Step-by-Step Process in Calgary, Alberta
Whether your original case was heard at the Alberta Court of Justice or the Court of King’s Bench downtown, the renewal process requires proactive legal steps. 📍 You must initiate this procedure well before the ten-year anniversary of the date your original judgment was granted.
Step 1: Calculate Your Expiry Date
The very first thing you must do is locate your filed Certificate of Judgment or formal Judgment Roll. Look for the exact date the judge pronounced the order, not the date you started the lawsuit. 🔍 Your judgment is generally valid for exactly 10 years from that specific pronouncement date, so you should begin the renewal process at least three to four months prior to expiry.
Step 2: Prepare an Affidavit for Renewal
To ask the court for more time, you must prepare a sworn Affidavit. 📝 In this legal document, you must declare under oath exactly how much money the debtor originally owed, how much they have paid to date, and the total outstanding balance including accrued interest. You must also explain what collection efforts you have made over the past decade.
Step 3: File the Renewal Application
Once your Affidavit is sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths, you must file a formal application (often called a Notice of Application) at the Calgary Courts Centre. A judge or a master will review your documents. ⚖ If everything is in order, they will grant an order renewing your judgment for an additional 10-year period, allowing you to continue garnishing wages or seizing property.
How Much Does it Cost in Calgary?
Renewing a judgment requires paying court administrative fees, and most people choose to hire a lawyer to ensure the paperwork is perfect. 💳 Here is an overview of the typical costs in CAD as of May 2026:
- Alberta Court of Justice Fee: Filing an application to renew a small claims judgment typically costs $50 CAD.
- Court of King’s Bench Fee: Filing an application in the higher court usually requires a filing fee of $250 CAD.
- Commissioner for Oaths: Swearing your affidavit at a local Calgary registry usually costs $15 to $25 CAD.
- Lawyer Fees: If you hire a civil litigation lawyer to draft the application and attend court, expect to pay between $750 and $2,000 CAD depending on the complexity.
| Alberta Court of Justice | Under $100,000 CAD | $50 CAD |
| Court of King’s Bench | Over $100,000 CAD | $250 CAD |
How Long Does the Process Take?
You should never leave a judgment renewal to the last minute. ⏱ Drafting the application and getting a hearing date at the Calgary Courts Centre can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks. If your 10-year deadline passes while you are waiting for a court date, the judge may reject your application, and your judgment will legally expire.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I renew a civil judgment more than once?
Generally, an Alberta court will only grant one 10-year renewal. This gives you a total of 20 years to collect the debt from the original judgment date. Beyond that, the debt is typically uncollectible.
Do I have to notify the debtor about the renewal?
In many cases, an application to renew a judgment can be made “ex parte” (without notifying the other side), especially if they have been ignoring the debt. However, the court rules can vary, and a judge may order you to serve the debtor with your application.
What happens if my judgment actually expires?
If the 10-year period completely expires and you have not obtained a renewal order, the judgment becomes legally unenforceable. You can no longer garnish their wages, seize their bank accounts, or legally force them to pay.
Does interest keep growing during the renewed period?
Yes. Under the Judgment Interest Act of Alberta, your court judgment continues to accumulate interest every year it remains unpaid, both during the original 10-year period and the renewed 10-year period.
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