Rescue & Trace (Texas)
Two ends of the case. RESCUE: a summary-judgment response needs adequate time for discovery (166a(i)) and the 166a(g) continuance affidavit is the tool. TRACE: once you have a judgment, the enforcement ladder turns it into money — every rung cited, in order.
The enforcement ladder
Judgment to money — every rung cited, in escalation order.
- 1
Abstract → judgment lien
A recorded, indexed abstract of judgment constitutes a lien on the debtor's non-exempt real property in that county.
Tex. Prop. Code § 52.001
- 2
Execution
Judgments are enforced by execution or other appropriate process — Rule 621's own words.
Tex. R. Civ. P. 621
- 3
Post-judgment discovery
At any time after rendition of judgment (so long as it is not suspended), the judgment creditor may take discovery in aid of enforcement — Rule 621a LIVES in the current edition; the repeal rumor lost to the loaded text.
Tex. R. Civ. P. 621a
- 4
Turnover
A judgment creditor is entitled to aid from a court to reach property that cannot readily be attached — receivers included.
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 31.002
- 5
Garnishment / receivership
The writ-based rungs, statute + rules together.
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code chs. 63-64; Tex. R. Civ. P. 657-679, 695
- 6
Dormancy + revival
Ten years without execution → dormant; revival by scire facias or action on the judgment within the statute's window.
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §§ 34.001, 31.006
The ladder renders as OPTIONS with citations — sequencing against a specific debtor is the user's (or counsel's) call, never the platform's.