Uthmätning

Uthmätning is a Swedish legal term referring to the process of seizing and selling a debtor's assets to satisfy a debt. It is a form of enforcement of a court judgment or other enforceable instrument. The process is initiated by a creditor who has obtained a legally binding decision against a debtor. The enforcement authority, typically a bailiff (kronofogde), then carries out the utmätning.

The first step in utmätning is usually identifying and locating the debtor's assets. This can include movable property such as vehicles, electronics, or furniture, as well as immovable property like real estate. The enforcement authority has powers to investigate the debtor's financial situation and assets. Once assets are identified, they are formally seized. This seizure prevents the debtor from selling or otherwise disposing of the assets.

Following seizure, the assets are typically sold through an auction or other public sale. The proceeds from the sale are then used to pay off the debt owed to the creditor. If the sale proceeds are insufficient to cover the entire debt, the creditor may be able to pursue further utmätning on other assets or seek other enforcement measures. There are legal protections in place to ensure that debtors are not left without essential means of subsistence, meaning certain essential assets may be exempt from utmätning. The process is governed by specific laws and regulations within Swedish enforcement law.