A supersedeas bond is the appellant's primary defense against execution on a money judgment. By posting surety equal to (typically) the judgment plus interest and costs, the appellant stays execution while the appellate court reviews the trial-court judgment. Without the bond, the prevailing party can begin collection immediately: garnishments, abstracts of judgment against real estate, executions on personal property. We write supersedeas bonds in every U.S. court — state, federal, admiralty — under each jurisdiction's specific statutory framework.
A trial court has entered a money judgment against your client. The clock starts immediately. The prevailing party can record an abstract of judgment, levy on real estate, garnish accounts, freeze receivables. Whatever your client owns becomes a target the moment the judge signs the order. The notice of appeal does not stop this — appeal proceedings can run a year or two, and the judgment creditor can collect the entire time unless the judgment is stayed.
The supersedeas bond is the instrument that stops the clock. The appellant posts surety equal to the judgment (plus interest and, in many states, costs). The trial court approves the bond. Execution is stayed. The appellate court reviews the case on its merits without the parties' financial postures changing.
Substantively the bond is a three-party agreement. The appellant is the principal — the party seeking the stay. The appellee is the obligee — the prevailing party being protected. Surety One, Inc. is the surety standing behind the promise with real capital. If the appeal is affirmed, the surety pays the appellee up to the bond limit and the appellant reimburses the surety under an indemnity agreement. If the appeal is reversed, the bond obligation terminates.
Different jurisdictions apply different rules. Cap states limit the bond amount to prevent it from foreclosing appellate review in large-judgment cases: Texas at $25M or half net worth (§52.006), Florida at $50M (§45.045), Mississippi at $100M (§11-51-79), Tennessee at $75M (§27-1-124), South Carolina at $25M (§18-9-130), Alabama at 125%/$125M (§6-12-2), North Carolina at $25M (§1-289), Ohio and Missouri at $50M for tort cases (§2505.09, §512.099). Multiplier states set a percentage formula: California at 1.5× (§917.1), Pennsylvania at 120% (Rule 1735), Mississippi/Tennessee/South Carolina/Georgia at 125%, Michigan at 1.25× (Court Rule 7.209). Open states have no statutory cap — the bond runs at the full judgment plus interest plus costs.
Each state-specific page covers the controlling statute, the bond multiplier, the cap (if any), the filing court, and 5–8 state-specific FAQs. State pages link to the official state code and rule citations.
Supersedeas bonds are collateral-typical because most appeals are not reversed — the surety expects to pay most bonds, and full collateral equal to the bond amount is the standard requirement. We accept three forms: cash held in custody, an irrevocable letter of credit from a federally insured bank under ICC UCP 600, or U.S. Treasury securities (for bond penalties over $5M, CUSIP'd to the surety's custody). See our collateral page for full details. We do not accept real property, tangible assets, UCC filings, or assignments.
Non-collateralized supersedeas bonds are available through our non-standard program for applicants with substantial unencumbered net worth and strong liquid position. Audited financials, three years of tax returns, personal financial statements for principals, and confirmation of no pending claims are required for non-collateralized placement.
Three documents start every file: the final judgment, the notice of appeal, and a financial statement appropriate to the bond size. For state-specific cap claims (Texas §52.006 in particular), add the affidavit of net worth. Our underwriting desk responds within four business hours; same-day issuance is standard for qualified, collateralized files.
Send the judgment and notice of appeal. Our underwriters open the file and respond immediately, 7/52/365.