Can an out-of-state judgment be enforced in California?

In 2023, City National Bank sued singer Chris Brown and fellow investors in Georgia alleging that they defaulted on a loan taken out to finance two Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen chicken franchises. The Court entered a judgment of just over $2 million in favor of CNB and against Brown et al. 

In February of 2024, CNB filed an application for entry of a sister-state judgment in California. Under California law, Brown has 30 days after service of the notice of entry of the sister-state judgment to file a motion to vacate the judgment.   

I routinely domesticate out-of-state judgments into California. The two keys are that verified assets are identified and that there is a good address to effectuate service on the judgment debtor. Without having both, obtaining a sister-state judgment is premature and unwarranted.