(a) As used in this section, "final money judgment" means a money judgment after the time for appeal from the judgment has expired or, if an appeal is filed, after the appeal has been finally determined.
§ 488.480.To Attach Final Money Judgment
Title 6.5. Attachment · Chapter 8. Levy Procedures; Lien of Attachment; Management and Disposition of Attached Property · Article 2. Methods of Levy · Last amended 1984 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 488.480 attaches a final money judgment (one where the appeal period has expired or any appeal is finally decided) by filing the writ and notice with the clerk of the court that entered it, who endorses the judgment to reflect the lien, with service on the judgment debtor.
Full Text of § 488.480
(b) To attach a final money judgment, the levying officer shall file a copy of the writ of attachment and a notice of attachment with the clerk of the court that entered the final money judgment. The court clerk shall endorse upon the judgment a statement of the existence of the attachment lien and the time it was created. If an abstract of the judgment is issued, it shall include a statement of the attachment lien in favor of the plaintiff.
(c) At the time of levy or promptly thereafter, the levying officer shall serve a copy of the writ of attachment and a notice of attachment on the judgment debtor obligated to pay the final money judgment attached.
Plain-English Summary
A defendant's own unpaid judgment against someone else is an asset the plaintiff can reach. Section 488.480 first defines "final money judgment" as one where the appeal period has run, or where any appeal has been finally decided. To attach it, the levying officer files a copy of the writ and notice with the clerk of the court that entered that judgment, and the clerk endorses the judgment itself to note the attachment lien and when it arose; if an abstract of judgment issues afterward, it must reflect the lien too. The officer also serves the judgment debtor — the party obligated to pay the judgment being attached — at the time of levy or promptly after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a plaintiff attach money the defendant is owed under a judgment against someone else?
Yes, if it is a final money judgment. Section 488.480 requires filing the writ and notice with the clerk of the court that entered that judgment, which the clerk then endorses to reflect the attachment lien.
What makes a money judgment 'final' for purposes of this section?
Section 488.480(a) defines a final money judgment as one where the time to appeal has expired, or, if an appeal was filed, where the appeal has been finally determined.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 538, Sec. 6.5.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: attaching judgment owed to defendant californiaccp 488.480 final money judgment attachment