How many years must pass for a judgment to become dormant and cease to operate as a lien?

A judgment becomes dormant after a specific period during which it ceases to operate as a lien on the debtor's property unless the judgment creditor takes action to enforce it. In Ohio, this period is five years. After five years, if the creditor has not taken steps to revive the judgment, it becomes dormant, meaning it can no longer be enforced against the debtor's property without judicial action. This five-year timeframe is consistent with Ohio Revised Code, which dictates how long a judgment remains active.

Understanding this timeframe is crucial for legal professionals in the property and title industries, as it affects how they manage judgments and liens related to real estate transactions.