Title 9. Enforcement of Judgments · Division 2 · Chapter 3. Execution · Article 2. Writ of Execution and Notice of Levy · Last amended 2011 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 699.560 requires the levying officer to return or store the writ and file a return of actions and amounts collected at the earliest of five triggering events, including the standard two-year outer limit, completion of duties, the creditor's written request, or 180 days passing without a levy, subject to special timing rules for certain kinds of levies.
(a)Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), the writ expires and the levying officer to whom the writ of execution is delivered shall return the writ to the court, or store the writ as provided in Section 263.6, and file a return with the court reporting the levying officer's actions and an accounting of amounts collected, and costs incurred, at the earliest of the following times:
(1)Two years from the date of issuance of the writ, unless paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 706.022 is applicable.
(2)Promptly after all of the duties under the writ are performed.
(3)When return is requested in writing by the judgment creditor.
(4)If no levy takes place under the writ within 180 days after its issuance, promptly after the expiration of the 180-day period.
(5)Upon expiration of the time for enforcement of the money judgment.
(b)If a levy has been made under Section 700.200 upon an interest in personal property in the estate of a decedent, the writ shall be returned within the time prescribed in Section 700.200.
(c)If a levy has been made under Section 5103 of the Family Code on the judgment debtor's right to the payment of benefits from an employee pension benefit plan, the writ shall be returned within the time prescribed in that section.
(d)If a levy has been made under the Wage Garnishment Law (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 706.010)), and the earnings withholding order remains in effect, the writ of execution shall be returned as provided in subdivision (a) and a supplemental return shall be made as provided in Section 706.033.
(e)Subject to the limitations in subdivision (c) of Section 263, a levying officer may electronically file with the court the return, containing the information required by subdivision (a), pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 263) of Title 4 of Part 1.
Plain-English Summary
Every writ of execution eventually has to come back to the court with an accounting. Subdivision (a) lists five triggers, and whichever happens first controls: two years from issuance (unless a specific wage-garnishment timing rule applies), promptly once all duties under the writ are performed, whenever the judgment creditor asks in writing for the writ back, promptly after 180 days pass with no levy at all, or whenever the time to enforce the money judgment itself runs out.
Some kinds of levies do not follow that general schedule. A levy on an interest in a decedent's estate under § 700.200 gets returned within the time that section itself sets. A levy on pension benefits under Family Code § 5103 follows that section's own deadline instead. And a levy made under the Wage Garnishment Law follows the general return schedule in subdivision (a), but if the earnings withholding order stays in effect, a supplemental return also has to be made under § 706.033.
Subdivision (e) allows the levying officer to file the return electronically, containing all the information subdivision (a) requires, consistent with the electronic filing procedures in § 263.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the events that trigger a mandatory return of the writ?
Two years from issuance, completion of all duties under the writ, a written request from the judgment creditor, 180 days passing with no levy, or the expiration of the time to enforce the judgment — whichever happens earliest.
Does a levy on a decedent's estate interest follow this same return schedule?
No. Subdivision (b) requires that return within the time prescribed by § 700.200 instead.
What happens when a wage garnishment order remains active?
The writ is still returned under the general schedule in subdivision (a), but a supplemental return also has to be made under § 706.033 while the earnings withholding order continues.
Can a levying officer file the return electronically?
Yes, subject to the limitations in § 263, pursuant to the electronic filing chapter commencing with § 263.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats 2010 ch 680 (AB 2394),s 9, 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
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