Title 9. Enforcement of Judgments · Division 2 · Chapter 3. Execution · Article 4. Methods of Levy · Last amended 2014 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 700.010 requires the levying officer, at the time of levy or promptly after, to serve the judgment debtor with the writ, a notice of levy, and, for an individual debtor, forms explaining exemptions and how to claim them.
(a)At the time of levy pursuant to this article or promptly thereafter, the levying officer shall serve a copy of the following on the judgment debtor:
(1)The writ of execution.
(2)A notice of levy.
(3)If the judgment debtor is a natural person, a copy of the form listing exemptions prepared by the Judicial Council pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 681.030, the list of exemption amounts published pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 703.150, a copy of the form that the judgment debtor may use to make a claim of exemption pursuant to Section 703.520, and a copy of the form the judgment debtor may use to provide a financial statement pursuant to Section 703.530.
(4)Any affidavit of identity, as defined in Section 680.135, for names of the debtor listed on the writ of execution.
(b)Service under this section shall be made personally or by mail.
Plain-English Summary
Levy is not something that happens quietly. Section 700.010 requires the levying officer to give the judgment debtor a copy of the writ of execution and a notice of levy, either at the moment of levy or soon afterward. Service can be made personally or by mail.
When the judgment debtor is a natural person rather than a business, the officer has to hand over more: the Judicial Council's form listing exemptions, the current published list of exemption amounts, a form for claiming an exemption under § 703.520, and a form for submitting a financial statement under § 703.530. Individuals get more protection from execution than corporations do, and this paperwork is how the law makes sure they know about it.
If the writ lists an affidavit of identity for alternate names of the debtor under § 680.135, the officer serves a copy of that too. These service duties apply across the specific levy methods described in the rest of this article, from real property to deposit accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must a levying officer give the judgment debtor when levying under a writ of execution?
A copy of the writ of execution and a notice of levy, served personally or by mail at the time of levy or promptly afterward.
Does an individual debtor get anything beyond the writ and notice of levy?
Yes. Section 700.010 also requires the Judicial Council's exemption list form, the published exemption-amounts list, a claim-of-exemption form, and a financial-statement form.
Do business debtors get the same exemption paperwork as individuals?
No. The exemption-related forms under § 700.010(a)(3) apply only when the judgment debtor is a natural person.
How can service under this section be made?
Personally or by mail, as § 700.010(b) provides.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats 2013 ch 64 (SB 233),s 4, eff. 1/1/2014. Amended by Stats 2003 ch 379 (AB 182),s 2, eff. 1/1/2004. Amended by Stats 2000 ch 639 (AB 2405), s 7, eff. 1/1/2001.
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:notice of levy californiadocuments served with writ of execution