The collection of a judgment shall not be delayed or hindered, or the lien created by law abate, by reason of the death of any person in whose favor such judgment stands; but the executor or administrator may cause his or her letters of office to be filed in such court, after which the judgment may be enforced and proceeding had in the name of the executor or administrator as such, in the same manner as if the judgment had been recovered in his or her name.
12-155.Death of judgment creditor.
Article XII. Judgments - Enforcement · Part 1. In General · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceSection 12-155 keeps a judgment's collection and lien alive after the creditor's death, letting the executor or administrator file letters of office with the court and enforce the judgment in that representative capacity just as the deceased creditor could have.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/12-155
Plain-English Summary
A judgment creditor's death doesn't interrupt enforcement of the judgment or the lien the law gives it. This section says collection shall not be delayed or hindered, nor the lien abate, by reason of that death.
To act on the judgment going forward, the executor or administrator files their letters of office with the court where the judgment stands. Once filed, the judgment may be enforced and proceedings had in the name of the executor or administrator, in the same manner as if the judgment had originally been recovered in that representative's own name.
This section addresses the creditor's death; Section 12-157, by contrast, addresses the debtor's death, and imposes a waiting period and notice requirements before a sale can proceed against the debtor's estate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a judgment creditor's death stop enforcement of the judgment?
No, collection and the lien created by law continue despite the creditor's death.
What must the executor or administrator do to enforce the judgment?
File their letters of office in the court where the judgment stands.
In what capacity does the representative then act?
As executor or administrator, in the same manner as if the judgment had been recovered in that person's own name.
Does this section require a separate proceeding to revive the judgment?
No, it lets enforcement continue directly once the letters of office are filed.
How does this section relate to Section 12-157?
Section 12-155 addresses the creditor's death; Section 12-157 addresses the debtor's death and imposes its own waiting period and notice requirements.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 83-707.)
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, published by the
Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois General Assembly / Legislative Reference Bureau. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: death of judgment creditor illinoisexecutor enforcing judgment illinoisadministrator collecting judgment illinois