Judgment Interest Calculator - North Carolina

Under N.C.G.S. § 24-1, the post-judgment and statutory interest rate in North Carolina in 2026 is eight percent (8%) per year simple interest on unpaid principal. The rate is fixed by statute—not indexed to prime or federal rates. It applies to judgments and contracts without a specified rate. Verify judgment entry date before calculating accrual periods. Document principal, rate category, payment chronology, and governing statute on every demand letter or payoff quote. Partial payments reduce the principal base prospectively under the applicable interest formula. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not replace advice from a licensed attorney familiar with your court, claim type, and docket. Verify official statute text and court rules before filing, settling, or enforcing.

Simple interest: Interest equals principal times eight percent times years. Fifty thousand dollars for two years equals eight thousand dollars ($50,000 × 0.08 × 2). Daily accrual: (Principal × 8%) ÷ 365. TheLegalCalc multiplies your inputs. Partial payments reduce principal. Document principal, rate category, payment chronology, and governing statute on every demand letter or payoff quote. Partial payments reduce the principal base prospectively under the applicable interest formula. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not replace advice from a licensed attorney familiar with your court, claim type, and docket. Verify official statute text and court rules before filing, settling, or enforcing.

Under North Carolina practice tied to N.C.G.S. § 24-1, post-judgment interest generally begins on the date of the judgment on unpaid principal. Confirm entry date on the docket. Pre-judgment interest requires separate contractual or statutory authority. Document principal, rate category, payment chronology, and governing statute on every demand letter or payoff quote. Partial payments reduce the principal base prospectively under the applicable interest formula. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not replace advice from a licensed attorney familiar with your court, claim type, and docket. Verify official statute text and court rules before filing, settling, or enforcing.

N.C.G.S. § 1-362 generally prohibits private civil judgment creditors from garnishing wages, with exceptions for taxes, child support, alimony, and student loans. Eight percent interest under § 24-1 may accrue, but wage garnishment is not available for typical contract and tort judgments. Plan bank levy and property execution strategies instead. Document principal, rate category, payment chronology, and governing statute on every demand letter or payoff quote. Partial payments reduce the principal base prospectively under the applicable interest formula. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not replace advice from a licensed attorney familiar with your court, claim type, and docket. Verify official statute text and court rules before filing, settling, or enforcing.

Interest under § 24-1 accrues while principal remains unpaid. N.C.G.S. § 1-47 makes judgments enforceable for ten years—coordinate renewal and execution with interest math. Wage garnishment limits under § 1-362 affect practical collection, not the statutory rate. Document principal, rate category, payment chronology, and governing statute on every demand letter or payoff quote. Partial payments reduce the principal base prospectively under the applicable interest formula. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not replace advice from a licensed attorney familiar with your court, claim type, and docket. Verify official statute text and court rules before filing, settling, or enforcing.

Parties may settle and waive § 24-1 interest subject to authority and bankruptcy rules. Specify stop date and whether eight percent governed the payoff. Consult North Carolina counsel before satisfaction. Document principal, rate category, payment chronology, and governing statute on every demand letter or payoff quote. Partial payments reduce the principal base prospectively under the applicable interest formula. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not replace advice from a licensed attorney familiar with your court, claim type, and docket. Verify official statute text and court rules before filing, settling, or enforcing.