Accepted Answer

As a judgment creditor, XXXX, you have some broad rights to look into the judgment debtor's finances. You get to demand and get copies of all current bank account records, either from the debtor or directly from the bank by subpoena.

If by "theft of professional services" route you mean getting a criminal case started, and then seeking restitution, please be aware that prosecutorial discretion means most government attorneys won't bother with cases like that with a civil court remedy available, because they aren't even keeping up with the garden variety embezzlement and fraud cases.

It might be a good idea to make sure your fee agreements allow not only "costs and attorney's fees" of pursuing a lawsuit, but also "collection fees" and professional expenses, all in language that Illinois recognizes as authorizing the collection agency's fees as an add-on to the principal amount owed. Make the deadbeat customer pay the collection agency, rather than your business.

Court still gives you the strongest remedy. Become familiar with the Illinois exemption statutes so you will know what's off-limits for enforcing a judgment, and what you can have the sheriff seize and sell.

Hope this helps.

BAB.

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Expert:	Brent Blanchard
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:	3/3/2009

Attorney

8 years of experience in estate planning and probate, bankruptcy, and business law.