What assets do creditors target after winning a debt lawsuit?

MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money What assets do creditors target after winning a debt lawsuit? We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Angelica Leicht Angelica Leicht Senior Editor, Managing Your Money Angelica Leicht is the senior editor for the Managing Your Money section for CBSNews.com, where she writes and edits articles on a range of personal finance topics. Angelica previously held editing roles at The Simple Dollar, Interest, HousingWire and other financial publications. Read Full Bio Angelica Leicht June 2, 2026 / 11:17 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Creditors often focus on the assets that are easiest to access, but there are also limits to what they can take. Mohd Izzuan/Getty Images For many borrowers, the most stressful part of falling behind on credit card or personal loan debt isn't the missed payment itself. It's the uncertainty that follows. Collection calls, demand letters and credit score damage can all be difficult to deal with, but those consequences also typically feel manageable compared to what could happen if a creditor takes legal action.And lately, that's become a growing concern for borrowers, many of whom are already stretched thin by this economic landscape, marked by elevated borrowing costs and persistent inflation pressures. As credit card balances remain high and delinquency rates rise, more lenders and debt buyers are turning to the courts to recover unpaid debts.For borrowers, that transforms what was once a financial problem into a legal one. Still, a creditor winning a lawsuit doesn't automatically mean they'll be able to seize everything you own. Collection laws vary, and exemptions protect many assets. So, what assets do creditors typically target after winning a debt lawsuit? Below, we'll examine five to know.Find out what debt...