(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), when a writ, notice, order, or other paper is required to be served under this title on the judgment debtor, it shall be served on the judgment debtor instead of the attorney for the judgment debtor.
§ 684.020.Service On Judgment Debtor; Service On Attorney Specified By Judgment Debtor
Title 9. Enforcement of Judgments · Division 1 · Chapter 4. Manner of Service of Writs, Notices, and Other Papers · Article 1. Service on Attorney of Creditor or Debtor · Enacted 1982 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 684.020 requires service on the judgment debtor directly rather than on the debtor's attorney, unless the debtor has filed and served a request -- with the specified attorney's signed consent -- asking that service go to that attorney instead, a request either side can revoke by filing and serving notice.
Full Text of § 684.020
(b) The writ, notice, order, or other paper shall be served on the attorney specified by the judgment debtor rather than on the judgment debtor if all of the following requirements are satisfied:
(1) The judgment debtor has filed with the court and served on the judgment creditor a request that service on the judgment debtor under this title be made by serving the attorney specified in the request. Service on the judgment creditor of the request shall be made personally or by mail. The request shall include a consent, signed by the attorney, to receive service under this title on behalf of the judgment debtor.
(2) The request has not been revoked by the judgment debtor.
(3) The consent to receive service has not been revoked by the attorney.
(c) A request or consent under subdivision (b) may be revoked by filing with the court a notice revoking the request or consent. A copy of the notice revoking the request or consent shall be served on the judgment creditor. Service shall be made personally or by mail. The judgment creditor is not bound by the revocation until the judgment creditor has received a copy of the notice revoking the request or consent.
Plain-English Summary
The default for debtors runs opposite to the default for creditors. Subdivision (a) requires that a writ, notice, order, or other paper be served on the judgment debtor directly, not on the debtor's attorney — unless the debtor opts into attorney service.
Subdivision (b) describes that opt-in: the debtor files with the court, and serves on the creditor, a request that service go to a specified attorney instead, and that request has to come with the attorney's own signed consent to receive service on the debtor's behalf. Once filed and unrevoked on both sides, service on the named attorney takes over from service on the debtor.
Subdivision (c) lets either side undo that arrangement. The debtor can revoke the request, or the attorney can revoke the consent, by filing a notice with the court and serving a copy on the creditor — though the creditor isn't bound by the revocation until receiving that copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a judgment debtor normally served directly or through an attorney?
Directly. Section 684.020(a) requires service on the judgment debtor unless the debtor has opted into attorney service under subdivision (b).
How does a debtor arrange for papers to go to an attorney instead?
By filing with the court, and serving on the creditor, a request naming the attorney, accompanied by that attorney's signed consent to receive service.
Can that arrangement be undone later?
Yes. Either the debtor or the attorney can revoke it by filing a notice with the court and serving a copy on the creditor, though the creditor isn't bound until receiving that copy.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1364, Sec. 2. Operative July 1, 1983, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 1364.
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: service on judgment debtor californiaservice on debtor's attorney instead of debtor