Execution Against Property

under Soviet law, a method of compulsory execution of court judgments concerning property liability. Carried out only on the basis of enforcement documents, execution against property may be applied to the personal property of a citizen and to his share of common property, to his share of the joint property of spouses, and to his share of the property of a kolkhoz household or private peasant farm.

Execution is levied first against that portion of monthly wages or other earnings, pension, or stipend that according to law can be attached, usually up to 50 percent, and then against other property where this is inadequate. The law establishes what types of property cannot be attached, such as food, household objects, and clothing. The recovery of debts owed by organizations is directed first of all at the balances they hold with credit institutions, and if this is inadequate, against other property owned by the organization. Fixed capital, seed and feeder stocks, and circulating capital necessary for normal operations cannot be attached. Execution against organizations that are directly budgeted by the state can be levied only against the cash balances allocated to them on the basis of estimates.