Appeal bonds
Appeal bonds in Los Angeles
An appeal bond, also called a supersedeas bond, is a surety bond a court may require when you appeal a money judgment and want to pause collection while the appeal is heard. It promises the other side will be paid if you lose. The bond amount is set by law and the court; the cost is a premium paid to the surety.
How it works
How an appeal bond works.
- You lose a money judgment and decide to appeal.
- You post a bond so the winner cannot collect while the appeal is pending.
- If you win the appeal, the bond is released.
- If you lose, the judgment, plus costs and interest, is paid, by you or by the surety, which then collects from you.
Cost
What it costs.
- Bond amount: usually more than the judgment itself, to cover interest and costs during the appeal.
- Premium: a yearly percentage of the bond amount, paid to the surety.
- Collateral: sureties usually want collateral close to the full bond amount, such as cash, a cashier's check, or an irrevocable letter of credit.
Ask your attorney about the exact amount your court will require and the deadline to post it.
How to apply
How to start.
- Call 310-714-5616 and tell us the court, the case, the judgment amount and the deadline.
- Send the application and the court documents: the judgment and any order setting the bond.
- Review: we explain the premium, the collateral needed and the next steps.
Appeal bond questions
Can I get an appeal bond with bad credit?
Often, if you can post enough collateral. For most appeal bonds, collateral matters more than credit.
How fast can a bond be issued?
It depends on the surety and on how fast the collateral is in place. Start as soon as you decide to appeal; court deadlines are strict.
Facing a bond deadline? Call 310-714-5616.
Tell us the court, the judgment amount and the deadline. We will explain the premium and the collateral needed.