A money judgment expires 12 years from the date of entry or most recent renewal. At any time before expiration of the judgment, the judgment holder may file a notice of renewal and the clerk shall enter the judgment renewed.
Rule 2-625.Expiration and renewal of money judgment
Circuit Court · Last amended January 1, 2020 · Last verified July 13, 2026
In one sentenceSets the 12-year life of a Maryland money judgment and describes how a judgment holder renews it before it lapses.
Full Text of Rule 2-625
Amendment History
Amended Apr. 7, 1986, effective July 1, 1986; November 19, 2019, effective January 1, 2020.
Committee Note & Source
Source. This Rule is new.
Plain-English Summary
A money judgment doesn't last forever. Rule 2-625 gives it a 12-year shelf life, running from the date of entry — or, if the judgment has already been renewed once, from the date of the most recent renewal. Once that 12-year clock runs out, the judgment expires.
The rule also gives the judgment holder a way to keep the judgment alive. Any time before it expires, the holder can file a notice of renewal, and the clerk enters the judgment as renewed. That renewal resets the 12-year period, so a judgment holder who stays on top of the deadline can keep collecting indefinitely, one 12-year renewal at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Maryland money judgment stay valid?
Twelve years from the date it was entered, or twelve years from the date it was last renewed if the holder has renewed it before.
How do I renew a judgment before it expires?
File a notice of renewal with the court before the 12-year period runs out. Once filed, the clerk enters the judgment as renewed, and a fresh 12-year period begins.
What happens if I let the 12 years run out without renewing?
The rule doesn't provide for renewal after expiration — the notice of renewal has to be filed before the judgment expires. Missing the deadline means the judgment ends.
Is there a limit on how many times a judgment can be renewed?
The rule doesn't cap the number of renewals. As long as the holder files a notice of renewal before each 12-year period runs out, the judgment can keep being renewed.
Source & verification. Rule text, Committee Note, Source note, and
amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Maryland Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Maryland. Last verified July 13, 2026. ·
Official source
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