What is an order of satisfaction?

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What is an order of satisfaction?

I sued my landlord for $2,200 in damages in small claims court. I was only awarded $575. I have received an order or satisfaction from the law firm that represented my landlord. The law firm states I have to sign the order of satisfaction or I they will ask the courts to intervene? Do I have to sign it? If I do sign it, what rights am I waiving?

Asked on February 19, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Maryland

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

An order of satisfaction is an acknowledgment that the judgment was paid. If you received the $575, the judgment has in fact been satisified and you would be required to acknowledge that fact.

It's not a matter of waiving any rights: if you had a trial in small claims court and the court awarded you $575 for your suit, that is all you are entitled to for  the claim--you can't sue for additional money on the same claim, after receiving a judgment. (You could theoretically appeal, but that is almost certainly not worth doing--the odds of overturning the judgment are very slight at best.) Therefore, if and when you are paid the $575 the court awarded you, you should acknowledge satisfaction--but not until them.


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