(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), interest commences to accrue on a money judgment on the date of entry of the judgment.
§ 685.020.When Interest Commences to Accrue
Title 9. Enforcement of Judgments · Division 1 · Chapter 5. Interest and Costs · Last amended 1983 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 685.020 starts post-judgment interest running on the date a money judgment is entered, except that interest on a judgment payable in installments starts separately for each installment on the date that installment becomes due, unless the judgment itself provides otherwise.
Full Text of § 685.020
(b) Unless the judgment otherwise provides, if a money judgment is payable in installments, interest commences to accrue as to each installment on the date the installment becomes due.
Plain-English Summary
Interest doesn't wait for enforcement to begin — it starts accruing on entry. Subdivision (a) sets that as the general rule: interest on a money judgment commences on the date of entry.
Subdivision (b) adjusts that rule for installment judgments, matching the staggered approach § 683.030 uses for the enforceability period. Unless the judgment provides otherwise, interest on each installment starts on the date that particular installment becomes due, rather than all at once from the date of entry — so an installment due years later doesn't accrue interest from the earlier entry date.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does interest start accruing on an ordinary money judgment?
On the date the judgment is entered.
Does that rule change for a judgment payable in installments?
Yes. Unless the judgment says otherwise, interest on each installment starts on the date that installment becomes due, not from the date of entry.
Can the judgment itself set a different interest start date for installments?
Yes, subdivision (b) applies unless the judgment otherwise provides.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 155, Sec. 10. Effective June 30, 1983. Operative July 1, 1983, by Sec. 32 of Ch. 155.
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
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