Eviction process

If the court issues a judgment for possession to your landlord, you have 10 days to vacate the property. If you do not vacate, after the 10 days, your landlord may request the sheriff to execute the judgment for possession. This means a sheriff will come to your property to physically remove you and your belongings. Neither the sheriff nor the landlord has to give you notice before the sheriff sets you out (although some sheriffs do give notice).

Personal belongings at risk

How long it will take for the sheriff to actually make you move varies county to county, but you will not want to take the chance of still being in your rental property once the sheriff shows up to make you move. If a sheriff is required to make you move, they may make you leave the rental property – and your personal belongings – immediately. It then can become extremely difficult, if not impossible, to get your personal belongings back from the landlord.

Not all jurisdictions wait ten days to sign a writ of execution. Some jurisdictions sign the writ of execution the day that judgement is given.

Call the sheriff

You can call the sheriff to find out when the execution of the judgment is scheduled. You will need the names of the plaintiff (landlord) and defendant (you), the case number, and the address.