Legal Definitions - money made

Money Made is a formal legal declaration, typically made by a sheriff or similar law enforcement officer, confirming that they have successfully collected the full amount of money specified in a court order. This declaration is usually part of the officer's official report back to the court after attempting to enforce a judgment, such as a writ of execution.

In essence, it signifies that the debt or financial obligation detailed in the court's order has been fully satisfied through the officer's collection efforts.

• Example 1: Business Debt Collection

  A small manufacturing company, "Widgets Inc.," failed to pay a $50,000 invoice to its raw material supplier, "Metals Corp." Metals Corp. sued Widgets Inc. and won a court judgment for the $50,000. To collect, Metals Corp. obtained a writ of execution, directing the local sheriff's department to seize assets from Widgets Inc. The sheriff successfully seized and sold some non-essential equipment belonging to Widgets Inc., collecting the full $50,000.

  Explanation: When the sheriff filed their official report back to the court, they would indicate "money made," confirming that the entire sum specified in the writ of execution had been successfully collected from Widgets Inc. and was now available to Metals Corp.

• Example 2: Contract Dispute Judgment

  A freelance web designer, Sarah, completed a project for a client, "Tech Solutions," but was never paid the agreed-upon $10,000. Sarah sued Tech Solutions and obtained a court judgment in her favor. To collect the judgment, Sarah's attorney secured a writ of execution, instructing the sheriff to levy funds from Tech Solutions' bank account. The sheriff successfully accessed the account and transferred the full $10,000, plus court costs, as directed by the writ.

  Explanation: The sheriff's subsequent report to the court would include the notation "money made," signifying that the entire financial obligation outlined in the court's order had been fully satisfied through the collection efforts from Tech Solutions' bank account.

• Example 3: Property Damage Compensation

  David sued his neighbor, Emily, for damages to his fence caused by Emily's negligence. The court awarded David a judgment of $3,000. David obtained a writ of execution to collect the $3,000. The sheriff was able to garnish a portion of Emily's wages over a few pay periods until the full $3,000, along with associated fees, was collected.

  Explanation: Once the total amount specified in the writ was secured through wage garnishment, the sheriff would file an official "return" with the court, marking it as "money made." This confirms that the judgment debt has been fully recovered and the writ of execution has been successfully executed.