U.S. Creditor? Polish Debtor? I Recover What You're Owed.
English-speaking Polish attorney handling cross-border debt recovery from Poland. PhD in commercial law, 10 years of litigation experience, transparent fees — and an honest answer before you spend a dollar on litigation.
Start With a Debtor Asset Check — 150 USD →Two completely different situations — choose yours
Recovering a debt from Poland depends entirely on one fact: do you already have a U.S. court judgment, or are you starting from an unpaid invoice or contract? These follow different legal procedures, different timelines, and different costs.
I already have a U.S. judgment
Poland and the U.S. have no treaty for automatic mutual recognition of court judgments. Your U.S. judgment is not automatically enforceable in Poland — it must first go through a Polish court recognition procedure, which examines whether the debtor was properly served and had a genuine opportunity to defend themselves.
Typical risk: recognition can be refused on procedural grounds, even if your case was fully justified in the U.S.
I don't have a judgment yet
If your Polish debtor (company or individual) is based in Poland, Polish courts have jurisdiction simply because the debtor's registered seat or residence is in Poland — regardless of where your contract was signed or where the debt originated.
This is usually the more direct and predictable route: a standard civil lawsuit filed directly in Poland.
Start here: the Debtor Asset Check
Before recommending litigation, I check whether your debtor actually has recoverable assets in Poland. Going to court against a debtor with no real assets means paying court fees and translation costs for a judgment you may never collect on. This step exists to protect your budget before committing to a full case.
You send debtor details
Company name or individual's name, any known registration number (NIP/KRS), address, and any contracts or invoices you have.
Corporate & solvency check
I verify the entity in the National Court Register (KRS) or business registry (CEIDG): is it active, current on financial filings, linked to other entities or the same individuals.
Insolvency registry check
I check the National Register of Debtors (KRZ) — if your debtor is already in restructuring or bankruptcy, this changes the entire strategy from a lawsuit to a creditor claim filing.
Real estate & collateral check
If an address is known, I trace the property's land register (księga wieczysta) and review existing mortgages or liens — this shows whether other creditors are already ahead of you in line.
Written report & recommendation
A short report: does the debtor appear solvent, what's the realistic risk, and whether litigation, settlement, or a different approach makes the most sense.
Services & fees
Debtor Asset Check
KRS/CEIDG, KRZ insolvency check, land registry review, written report.
Case Assessment
Full legal analysis of your claim, jurisdiction, and recommended path (A or B). Written opinion in English.
Judgment Recognition (Path A)
Filing for recognition and enforcement of a U.S. court judgment before a Polish court.
+ court fees, paid by client
Debt Collection Lawsuit (Path B)
Demand letter, civil lawsuit, court representation, enforcement through a bailiff.
+ court fees, paid by client
Sworn Translations
Certified Polish translation of contracts, judgments, invoices and powers of attorney.
at certified translator rates
Success Fee Option
Reduced fixed fee combined with a percentage of the amount actually recovered — available after the asset check.
of recovered amount
Is your case worth pursuing?
Court fees in Poland are calculated as a percentage of the claim, plus translation and enforcement costs. Below a certain amount, litigation costs can exceed the debt itself.
recommended minimum claim value
Who pays what — no surprises
Court fees, certified translations, and bailiff enforcement fees are hard costs of the case — they are always paid by the client, never financed by me. My fee covers legal work: strategy, drafting, court representation, and case management. This separation keeps the arrangement transparent and protects both sides.
Why work with me
PhD in Commercial Law
Doctor of Laws from the Jagiellonian University, one of Europe's oldest law schools.
10 Years of Experience
Solo practitioner handling commercial disputes and cross-border transactions.
English-Speaking
All communication, reports and documents in English — no intermediaries.
Honest Risk Assessment
I'll tell you if a case isn't worth pursuing before you spend money on it.
Fully Remote
No need to travel to Poland. Secure document exchange throughout.
Transparent Fees
Fixed fees where possible, hourly rates disclosed upfront, hard costs separated from legal fees.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Polish court have jurisdiction if our contract was signed in the U.S.?
In most cases, yes. Polish courts have jurisdiction whenever the debtor's registered seat or residence is in Poland, regardless of where the debt or contract originated.
Can my U.S. judgment just be enforced directly in Poland?
No. There's no automatic mutual recognition between Poland and the U.S. A Polish court must first recognize the judgment, which can be refused on procedural grounds.
What if the asset check shows the debtor has nothing?
Then I'll tell you directly, and we discuss alternatives — settlement attempts, monitoring for future assets, or simply not pursuing the claim further.
Do I need to travel to Poland?
No. All services are remote — communication by email and video call, documents signed electronically or by courier where required.
How fast can this move?
The asset check typically takes 5–7 business days. Litigation timelines vary by court and case complexity — I'll give you a realistic estimate after the case assessment.
Find out where you stand — before you spend on litigation
Send me the debtor's details. I'll tell you what the registries show and what your realistic options are.
Request a Debtor Asset Check →