Fieri Facias Law and Legal Definition
Fieri facias is a Latin term that refers to a writ of execution directing a sheriff to take goods or property of someone against whom a judgment has been rendered. It is often abbreviated as fi. fa. A judgment creditor will often record a fi. fa. with county recorder in which the debtor is believed to own real property. Even though the sheriff may not actually foreclose on the property, the recorded fi. fa. will be a lien on the property that may prevent the future sale or refinancing of the property.
Fieri facias is governed by state laws which vary by state. The following is an example of a state law dealing with fieri facias:
(a) Judgments establishing the lien, and ordering the property sold for the satisfaction thereof, may be enforced by writs of fieri facias or venditioni exponas; but if by fieri facias, the clerk shall indorse thereon the fact that the lien has been established, and a description of the property.
(b) Upon the entry of such judgment by the district court, all the papers and a certified transcript of the judgment shall be transmitted to the clerk of the circuit court; and thereupon such clerk shall enter the action on the execution docket, record the judgment, and issue a writ of fieri facias or venditioni exponas, as on judgments entered in that court.
