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The Daily Insight Hub

Can a Canadian Judgement be enforced in the US?

Author

William Jenkins

Updated on February 18, 2026

Neither Ontario nor Canada is a party to any bilateral enforcement of money judgement treaty or convention with the U.S. or any particular state in the U.S.. However many U.S. states have enacted statutes concerning the enforcement of foreign (including Ontario and Canada) money-judgments in that state.

Is a foreign court judgment enforceable in the US?

A foreign judgment cannot be enforced in the US before being recognised by a US court. The 1962 and 2005 Model Acts deal with the recognition of judgments.

Can foreign judgment be enforced domestically?

Confilct between Domestic Judgment & Foreign Judgment A foreign judgment passed by a court of a non-reciprocating country can only be enforced by filing a new suit in India where the foreign decree is merely a piece of evidence with persuasive value.

How do you enforce a Judgement in Canada?

Procedures for enforcement Once a judgment is recognized, the Canadian court will issue a certified copy of the foreign judgment for enforcement. The judgment creditor can then follow the provincial rules to execute the judgment against the debtor’s assets as if it were a domestic Canadian judgment.

Can overseas debt be enforced in the US?

Enforcement of a Foreign Judgment in the U.S. Enforcement cannot be accomplished by means of letters rogatory in the United States. Under U.S. law, an individual seeking to enforce a foreign judgment, decree or order in this country must file suit before a competent court.

Can you leave the country if you have a Judgement?

A judgment can allow a creditor to file a lien against your property or garnish your accounts, for example. While they can’t keep you from leaving the state or country, the creditors can keep you from taking some of your assets with you.

How do you enforce a foreign judgment?

There are four recognised defences in a common law action to enforce a foreign judgment: ■ the foreign judgment was obtained by fraud; ■ the foreign judgment is contrary to public policy; ■ the foreign court acted contrary to natural justice; and ■ the foreign judgment is penal or a judgment for a revenue debt ( …

What is the difference between recognition and enforcement?

1.2- Recognition and Enforcement The recognition of an award by a court gives a res judicata effect thereto. Enforcement, however, goes a step further than recognition.

What is the difference between recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments?

Recognition means treating the claim as having been determined in favour of one of the litigating parties. This is an acknowledgment of foreign competence and of the settling of a dispute, known as res judicata. Enforcement, by contrast, is the implementation of the judgment.

What is enforcement of a judgment?

Enforce — To use the legal process to collect monies owing under a Judgment. Encumbrance — A lien or charge on property. Enforcement Creditor — A person who is owed money under a Judgment. Enforcement Debtor — A person who owes money under a Judgment.

Who is responsible for credit card debt after death in Canada?

The deceased’s estate is responsible for the credit card debt incurred by that person while they were alive. Therefore, any assets in the estate must first be used to pay off the person’s creditors, including tax amounts owing to Canada Revenue Agency. The creditors must be paid in full before any distribution is made to the beneficiaries.

Is it worth going to court for unpaid credit card debt?

Your priority is finding out exactly what you owe and to who — and soon. In my experience, if a credit card company went to the trouble to take you to court and get a judgment against you for unpaid bills, you owe at least $5,000. Any less, and it’s not really worth the trouble.

Can a credit card company get a judgment against you?

In my experience, if a credit card company went to the trouble to take you to court and get a judgment against you for unpaid bills, you owe at least $5,000. Any less, and it’s not really worth the trouble. (Although don’t misjudge what I just wrote: Your card issuer still wants and expects to be paid back.

What happens to my credit when I settle a judgment?

Once a settlement is complete, get a satisfaction of judgment signed by the creditor, and make sure it is filed with the court and reflected on your credit reports, lawyers said. The judgment for debt will still appear on your reports, but creditors might view you in a better light if there is a notation that the judgment has been satisfied.