Arizona execution: fifteen days before anyone can collect, and no discovery during the stay

Arizona gives a judgment debtor an automatic breathing space that most states do not: fifteen days after entry, during which execution and enforcement are stayed.

Rule 69(c)(1) then reinforces it. No post-judgment discovery may be served or taken during that stay either, absent a court order for good cause. The creditor cannot start asking where your assets are while the stay runs.

The automatic fifteen days

Ariz. R. Civ. P. 62(a):

Automatic stay of enforcement. Except as provided in Rule 62(d), (e), and (f), execution on a judgment and proceedings to enforce it are stayed for 15 days after its entry, unless the court orders otherwise. During the 15-day period, unless and until a bond or other security is posted, a party may record a judgment.

The carve-out is narrow: a creditor may record the judgment during the fifteen days, which preserves its lien position, but may not execute.

And no asset discovery meanwhile

Ariz. R. Civ. P. 69(c)(1):

Generally. Unless the court orders otherwise for good cause, no discovery may be served or taken during the temporary stay periods provided in Rule 62(a) or Rule 7(a)(2) of the Arizona Rules of Civil Appellate Procedure. If no further stay is ordered, at the expiration of any temporary stay period and in aid of the judgment or execution, the judgment creditor or a successor in interest whose interest appears of record may obtain discovery from any person—including the judgment debtor—as provided in these rules and other applicable law.

Once the stay lapses, the reach is wide: discovery from any person, including you, by the creditor or a successor in interest whose interest appears of record — so an assignee of the judgment can ask too.

Discovery while an appeal is pending

Rule 69(c)(2) covers what happens when a longer stay is in place:

After stay of judgment. If enforcement of, or execution on, a judgment is stayed under Rule 7 of the Arizona Rules of Civil Appellate Procedure, or by other rule or court order, the court may allow discovery as provided in these rules and other applicable law if: (A) the amount of any supersedeas bond or other security posted does not cover the total amount of any monetary judgment, including costs, attorney's fees, prejudgment interest, or punitive damages included in the judgment when entered; or (B) the discovery is necessary to protect the judgment creditor's interest in the judgment during the pendency of post-trial motions or an appeal.

Two gateways, and (A) is the one to plan around. If your supersedeas bond covers the total judgment — including costs, attorney's fees, prejudgment interest and punitive damages — that gateway closes. A bond covering only the principal leaves it open.

Rule 69(c)(3) allows the court to limit discovery.

How a judgment is enforced

Rule 69(a):

Generally. A monetary judgment is enforced by a writ of execution, unless the court orders otherwise. A party may execute on a judgment—and seek relief in proceedings supplementary to and in aid of judgment or execution—as provided in these rules, statutory remedies, and other applicable law.

Rule 69(b) adds a remedy for specific property:

Special writ. If a judgment is for personal property and the court finds that the property has a special value to the prevailing party, the court may award the prevailing party a special writ for the seizure and delivery of the specific property, in addition to any other relief provided in these rules and other applicable law.

Where the judgment is for personal property with special value, the court may order seizure and delivery of the specific item rather than leaving the winner to collect its worth in money.

Stopping enforcement for longer

Rule 62(b) lets the court stay execution pending disposition of a motion:

Stay pending the disposition of a motion. On appropriate terms for the adverse party's security, the court may stay the execution of a judgment—or any proceedings to enforce it—pending disposition of any of the following motions: (1) under Rule 50, for judgment as a matter of law; (2) under Rule 52(b), to amend the findings or for additional findings; (3) under Rule 59, for a new trial or to alter or amend a judgment; (4) under Rule 60(a) and (b), for relief from a judgment or order; or (5) when justice so requires in other instances until such time as the court may fix.

Note limb (4): a stay is available while a Rule 60(b) motion is pending. Arizona's Rule 60(b) window is six months on the first three grounds, measured from the later of entry and notice — see setting aside an Arizona default.

Rule 62(c) allows a stay at any time after entry by supersedeas bond or other security under Appellate Rule 7.

Where this connects

Arizona requires a good faith consultation certificate — by phone or in person, not email — on a motion to compel, and its Rule 37 defers to an expedited dispute procedure under Rule 26(d). See the Arizona motion to compel.

For the case itself, see the Arizona motion to dismiss — twenty days to answer, ten after a denial — and Arizona summary judgment, with its separate statement of facts and page limits.

How Arizona compares

A short checklist

1. Count fifteen days from entry. Nothing can be executed on in that window.
2. Expect the judgment to be recorded anyway — that is permitted during the stay.
3. No asset discovery may be served during the stay absent a good-cause order.
4. If you are appealing, size the bond to the total judgment — costs, fees, prejudgment interest and punitive damages included — to close the (c)(2)(A) gateway.
5. Ask for a Rule 62(b) stay if you are moving under Rule 59 or Rule 60.
6. If the judgment is for specific personal property, check whether a special writ has been sought.

Where these rules live

• Ariz. R. Civ. P. 62 — Stay of proceedings to enforce a judgment
• Ariz. R. Civ. P. 69 — Execution; postjudgment discovery
• Ariz. R. Civ. P. 60 — Relief from judgment or order

This page explains what the rules say. It isn't legal advice, and which property is exempt from execution is governed by statute this site doesn't cover.