Real Estate Finance Company – Entry and Collection of $12 Million Judgment

Herrick obtained the entry of a judgment totaling approximately $12 million against a real estate developer, two of his sons, and their affiliated entities. Following the entry of judgment, the judgment debtors refused to comply with multiple court orders holding the defendants in contempt and compelling them to respond to a variety of subpoenas. Herrick conducted depositions and other discovery regarding the judgment debtors' ability to pay and, upon doing so, filed an application for an installment payment order under C.P.L.R. § 5226. Following a four-day hearing before a court-appointed referee, the referee found one of the judgment debtors had an imputed annual income of $370,000 and that two of the other judgment debtors each had imputed annual incomes of $830,000. On that basis, the referee recommended, and the Supreme Court confirmed, that the judgment debtors are required to pay $406,000.00 per annum to Herrick's client, in equal installments of $33,833 per month, until the amounts due on the judgment have been paid and satisfied in full.