Court / Judicial
Indemnity to Sheriff Bond
A bond a judgment creditor gives the sheriff before the sheriff will seize or sell property that someone else claims to own.
- Required by
- Sheriffs and courts under state execution statutes
- Bond amount
- Set by whoever requires the bond. We confirm it.
What this bond guarantees
The bond protects the sheriff and deputies from losses, costs, and judgments that come from levying on or selling disputed property. If a third party proves the property was theirs and wins damages against the sheriff, the surety pays. In some states the bond runs to the third-party claimant instead of the sheriff.
Who needs it
- Judgment creditors collecting on a judgment
- Plaintiffs' attorneys asking the sheriff to levy
- Lenders and landlords executing on personal property
What the underwriter looks at
- Value of the property being levied
- Applicant's credit and financial strength
- Strength of the third party's claim
Requirements vary by state and by who asks for the bond. Send us the request you received and we will confirm exactly what it calls for.
Common questions
When will the sheriff ask for this bond?
Usually when someone other than the debtor claims the property. In Tennessee, for example, the sheriff does not have to seize or sell disputed property until the plaintiff posts an indemnity bond.
Does the bond cover the debtor's objections?
Generally no. In Tennessee it covers only third-party ownership claims, not a debtor's claim that the property is exempt or that the execution is void.
How much bond will I need?
It depends on the state and the value of the property. The sheriff or court sets the amount.