§ 687.010.Instructions Given Levying Officer By Judgment Creditor
Title 9. Enforcement of Judgments · Division 1 · Chapter 7. Levying Officers · Last amended 2014 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 687.010 requires a judgment creditor to give the levying officer signed written instructions describing the property to be levied on, whether it's a dwelling, and the debtor's identity, letting the officer rely on those instructions absent actual knowledge they're wrong.
(a)The judgment creditor shall give the levying officer instructions in writing. The instructions shall be signed by the judgment creditor's attorney of record or, if the judgment creditor does not have an attorney of record, by the judgment creditor. The instructions shall contain the information needed or requested by the levying officer to comply with this title, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)An adequate description of any property to be levied upon.
(2)A statement whether the property is a dwelling.
(3)If the property is a dwelling, whether it is real or personal property.
(4)The name of the judgment debtor. If the judgment debtor is other than a natural person, the type of legal entity shall be stated.
(b)Subject to subdivision (c), the levying officer shall act in accordance with the written instructions to the extent the actions are taken in conformance with the provisions of this title.
(c)Except to the extent the levying officer has actual knowledge that the information is incorrect, the levying officer may rely on any information contained in the written instructions.
(d)The levying officer instructions may be transmitted electronically to the levying officer pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 263) of Title 4 of Part 1.
(e)If the instructions directing the levying officer to perform a levy are accompanied by a writ of execution for money, possession, or sale of personal or real property issued by the court as an electronic record, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 263.1, or a document printed from an electronic record issued by the court, the instructions shall also include all of the following information, as stated in the writ:
(1)The date of issuance of the writ.
(2)The name of each judgment creditor and judgment debtor.
(3)The amount of the total judgment for money, a description of the property subject to a judgment for possession or sale, or both the amount and the description.
(4)A statement indicating that the accompanying writ is either of the following:
(A)An original writ, or a copy of the original writ issued by the court as an electronic record, not already in the possession of the levying officer.
(B)A copy of the original writ already in possession of the levying officer.
(f)Except to the extent the levying officer has actual knowledge that the information in the electronic writ has been altered, the levying officer may proceed in the same manner as if in possession of a paper version of the original writ.
Plain-English Summary
A levying officer — a sheriff, marshal, or registered process server acting in that role — doesn't guess at what to seize. Section 687.010 requires the judgment creditor to spell it out in writing, signed by the creditor's attorney of record or by the creditor personally. The instructions must adequately describe the property, say whether it's a dwelling and, if so, whether it's real or personal property, and identify the debtor, including the type of legal entity if the debtor isn't a natural person.
The officer follows those instructions to the extent they conform to this title's requirements, and may rely on the information in them unless the officer has actual knowledge that something in them is wrong. That reliance protection matters alongside § 687.040's broader liability shield for officers who act in conformance with the title.
Instructions can be sent electronically under the procedures in Chapter 2 (commencing with § 263) of Title 4 of Part 1. When the accompanying writ itself is an electronic record, the instructions must also include the writ's issuance date, the parties' names, the judgment amount or property description, and a statement of whether the writ is an original (or a copy not yet in the officer's possession) or a copy the officer already holds. So long as the officer has no actual knowledge that an electronic writ has been altered, the officer may treat it the same as a paper original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must a judgment creditor's instructions to the levying officer include?
An adequate description of the property to be levied on, whether it's a dwelling and if so whether real or personal property, and the judgment debtor's name and entity type if not a natural person.
Can the levying officer rely on the instructions without double-checking them?
Yes, unless the officer has actual knowledge that the information in the instructions is incorrect.
Can instructions and writs be sent to the levying officer electronically?
Yes. Section 687.010(d) permits electronic transmission under Chapter 2 (commencing with § 263) of Title 4 of Part 1, and subdivisions (e) and (f) address writs issued as electronic records.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats 2013 ch 156 (AB 1167),s 1, eff. 1/1/2014. Amended by Stats 2010 ch 680 (AB 2394),s 5, eff. 1/1/2011.
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:levying officer instructions californiawrit of execution instructions to sheriff