CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE

TITLE 2. TRIAL, JUDGMENT, AND APPEAL

SUBTITLE C. JUDGMENTS

CHAPTER 35. ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS OF OTHER STATES

Sec. 35.001.  DEFINITION.  In this chapter, "foreign judgment" means a judgment, decree, or order of a court of the United States or of any other court that is entitled to full faith and credit in this state.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.

Sec. 35.002.  SHORT TITLE.  This chapter may be cited as the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.

Sec. 35.003.  FILING AND STATUS OF FOREIGN JUDGMENTS.  (a)  A copy of a foreign judgment authenticated in accordance with an act of congress or a statute of this state may be filed in the office of the clerk of any court of competent jurisdiction of this state.
(b)  The clerk shall treat the foreign judgment in the same manner as a judgment of the court in which the foreign judgment is filed.
(c)  A filed foreign judgment has the same effect and is subject to the same procedures, defenses, and proceedings for reopening, vacating, staying, enforcing, or satisfying a judgment as a judgment of the court in which it is filed.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.

Sec. 35.004.  AFFIDAVIT;  NOTICE OF FILING.  (a)  At the time a foreign judgment is filed, the judgment creditor or the judgment creditor's attorney shall file with the clerk of the court an affidavit showing the name and last known post office address of the judgment debtor and the judgment creditor.
(b)  The judgment creditor or the judgment creditor's attorney shall:
(1)  promptly mail notice of the filing of the foreign judgment to the judgment debtor at the address provided for the judgment debtor under Subsection (a); and
(2)  file proof of mailing of the notice with the clerk of the court.
(c)  The notice must include the name and post office address of the judgment creditor and if the judgment creditor has an attorney in this state, the attorney's name and address.
(d)  On receipt of proof of mailing under Subsection (b), the clerk of the court shall note the mailing in the docket.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
Amended by: 
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 65 (S.B. 428), Sec. 1, eff. May 17, 2011.

Sec. 35.006.  STAY.  (a)  If the judgment debtor shows the court that an appeal from the foreign judgment is pending or will be taken, that the time for taking an appeal has not expired, or that a stay of execution has been granted, has been requested, or will be requested, and proves that the judgment debtor has furnished or will furnish the security for the satisfaction of the judgment required by the state in which it was rendered, the court shall stay enforcement of the foreign judgment until the appeal is concluded, the time for appeal expires, or the stay of execution expires or is vacated.
(b)  If the judgment debtor shows the court a ground on which enforcement of a judgment of the court of this state would be stayed, the court shall stay enforcement of the foreign judgment for an appropriate period and require the same security for suspending enforcement of the judgment that is required in this state in accordance with Section 52.006.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 204, Sec. 7.01, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Sec. 35.007.  FEES.  (a)  A person filing a foreign judgment shall pay to the clerk of the court the amount as otherwise provided by law for filing suit in the courts of this state.
(b)  Filing fees are due and payable at the time of filing.
(c)  Fees for other enforcement proceedings are as provided by law for judgments of the courts of this state.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.

Sec. 35.008.  OPTIONAL PROCEDURE.  A judgment creditor retains the right to bring an action to enforce a judgment instead of proceeding under this chapter.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.