A judgment may be shown satisfied of record in whole or in part by:
Rule 2.620.Satisfaction of Judgment
Current through May 1, 2026 · Last verified July 6, 2026
In one sentenceRule 2.620 lists the three ways a Michigan judgment can be shown satisfied of record -- a signed satisfaction filed by the prevailing party or its lawyer, direct payment of a money judgment to the clerk, or a court-approved motion after a hearing -- with the clerk required to note the satisfaction in the court records either way.
Full Text of Rule 2.620
(1) filing with the clerk a satisfaction signed and acknowledged by the party or parties in whose favor the judgment was rendered, or their attorneys of record;
(2) payment to the clerk of the judgment, interest, and costs, if it is a money judgment only; or
(3) filing a motion for entry of an order that the judgment has been satisfied. The court shall hear proofs to determine whether the order should be entered. The clerk must, in each instance, indicate in the court records that the judgment is satisfied in whole or in part.
Amendment History
Michigan tracks the orders that adopt and amend its Court Rules in a separate administrative record rather than printing a history note beneath each rule in the compiled rules text reproduced here. The text above is verified current through the source’s own May 1, 2026 update; for the full order-by-order history of this rule, see the Michigan Supreme Court’s rules and orders page.
Plain-English Summary
Clearing a judgment off the books doesn't take much once it's paid or resolved. A judgment can be shown satisfied, in whole or in part, by filing with the clerk a satisfaction signed and acknowledged by the party (or parties) who won the judgment, or by their attorney of record; by paying the clerk the judgment, interest, and costs, if the judgment calls only for money; or by filing a motion asking the court to enter an order that the judgment has been satisfied, which the court decides after hearing proofs on the question. Whichever path is used, the clerk has to note in the court records that the judgment is satisfied, whether fully or in part.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I show that a Michigan judgment has been paid off?
Three ways: file a signed satisfaction from the winning party or their attorney, pay the full judgment, interest, and costs directly to the clerk if it's a money judgment, or file a motion asking the court to enter an order of satisfaction.
Does the court have to hold a hearing to declare a judgment satisfied?
Only if satisfaction is sought by motion; the court hears proofs to decide whether to enter the order. Filing a signed satisfaction or paying the clerk directly doesn't require a hearing.
Who updates the court records once a judgment is satisfied?
The clerk, who must indicate in the court records that the judgment is satisfied in whole or in part, regardless of which of the three methods was used.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Michigan Court Rules (MCR 2.620). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Michigan (Mich. Const. 1963, art. VI, § 5). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 6, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: satisfaction of judgment Michiganpaying off a judgment Michigan