A judgment lien on personal property may be created pursuant to this article as an alternative or in addition to a lien created by levy under a writ of execution pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 699.010) or by use of an enforcement procedure provided by Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 708.010).
§ 697.520.Lien Created As Alternative Or In Addition to Lien Credited By Levy Under Writ of Execution
Title 9. Enforcement of Judgments · Division 2 · Chapter 2. Liens · Article 3. Judgment Lien on Personal Property · Enacted 1982 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 697.520 confirms that a judgment creditor may create a personal-property judgment lien under this article as an alternative to, or alongside, a lien obtained by levying a writ of execution or by using an enforcement procedure such as a charging order under Chapter 6.
Full Text of § 697.520
Plain-English Summary
This section keeps the Article 3 judgment lien from being read as an exclusive remedy. A creditor doesn't have to choose between filing a notice of judgment lien and pursuing enforcement the traditional way — levying under a writ of execution as Chapter 3 (§ 699.010 and following) describes.
The same goes for the debt-collection tools in Chapter 6, commencing with § 708.010 — debtor examinations, creditor's suits, and charging orders. A creditor can layer the personal-property judgment lien on top of any of these, using it to establish priority over later creditors while other enforcement tools do the work of reaching and liquidating property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a judgment creditor use both a judgment lien and levy under a writ of execution?
Yes. Section 697.520 makes clear the Article 3 lien is an alternative or addition to a lien created by levy under a writ of execution.
Does creating a judgment lien on personal property stop a creditor from using Chapter 6 remedies?
No. The judgment lien can be used alongside enforcement procedures under Chapter 6, such as debtor examinations, creditor's suits, and charging orders.
What's the practical difference between this lien and a lien created by levy?
The Article 3 lien is created by a single filing that can reach a broad category of the debtor's property, while a levy-based lien under § 697.710 arises only as to specific property that has been levied on.
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: judgment lien vs execution lien californiaalternative enforcement remedies judgment lien