After being stupid and loaning a friend a significant amount of money and him refusing to pay it back, I finally got a default judgment from the courts for the entire amount of the loan.

It is not up to me to file for a garnishment but the courts want $30/bank for each inquiry. We live in a major metropolitan area and there are 100s of banks. I've tried to be creative and find out where he banks but haven't had any luck.

Short of spending over $3000 to make inquiry of all of the banks in the area, does anyone have any ideas (legal, of course) to help me find out where this clown banks? Private investigators seem a bit extreme and EXPENSIVE.

Thoughts?

Its not up to you to garnish? Um yes it is... YOU have to file for the Writ... then once the court gives it to you, its up to you or an agent for you to execute it and try to collect when and where you can. But you have to find them first. At your expense and trouble.

Winning and collecting are different things.

I was typing too fast. You're right that it is my responsibility to file for garnishment.

Just looking for ideas to find out where he banks.

I was typing too fast. You're right that it is my responsibility to file for garnishment.

Just looking for ideas to find out where he banks.

Hire a Private investigator.. they will have acess to databases of info most of us don't know exists...

Get a friend to write him a check for $10. Mail it to him. If he deposits it at his bank, you will be able to determine which one. But of course he may just cash it.

Do you know he has a bank account?

Or simply get the court to order a judgment debtor examination. Ask him under oath where he banks. If he refuses to answer, get the judge to order him to answer.