The judgment is final decision made by the judge or jury that reflects how much the party who lost the lawsuit (the judgment debtor) owes the party who won the lawsuit (the judgment creditor)—including the rate of interest owed on the amount of the judgment until it is paid, the amount of court costs, and possibly the amount of the judgment creditor’s attorney fees the judgment debtor must pay as part of the judgment.
In Texas, a judgment is the final decision made by a judge or jury at the conclusion of a lawsuit. It specifies the amount of money that the losing party, known as the judgment debtor, must pay to the winning party, or judgment creditor. This amount can include the principal sum, post-judgment interest, court costs, and in some cases, attorney fees if the law or contract allows for their recovery. Texas law sets the post-judgment interest rate, which is typically calculated annually and accrues until the judgment is paid in full. The Texas Finance Code provides the legal framework for the calculation of post-judgment interest. Additionally, the judgment may be enforced through various means such as wage garnishment, property liens, or bank account levies, subject to Texas exemptions and procedural requirements.