(a) Unless another method of levy is provided by this article, to levy upon an account receivable or general intangible, the levying officer shall personally serve a copy of the writ of execution and a notice of levy on the account debtor.
§ 700.170.Levy Upon Account Receivable Or General Intangible
Title 9. Enforcement of Judgments · Division 2 · Chapter 3. Execution · Article 4. Methods of Levy · Enacted 1982 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 700.170 levies on an account receivable or general intangible by personally serving the account debtor, and lets the officer also serve any third person who receives the payments instead, with that service itself operating as a levy on amounts the third person owes the judgment debtor.
Full Text of § 700.170
(b) If a levy is made under subdivision (a) and payments on the account receivable or general intangible are made to a person other than the judgment debtor (whether pursuant to a security agreement, assignment for collection, or otherwise), the levying officer shall, if so instructed by the judgment creditor, personally serve a copy of the writ of execution and a notice of levy on such third person. Service of the copy of the writ and notice of levy on such third person is a levy on any amounts owed to the judgment debtor by such third person.
Plain-English Summary
Accounts receivable and general intangibles — rights to payment that aren't tied to a negotiable instrument or chattel paper — are levied on by reaching the person who owes the money. Section 700.170 has the levying officer personally serve the account debtor with a copy of the writ of execution and a notice of levy, unless some other method in this article applies instead.
Sometimes payments on the receivable flow to someone other than the judgment debtor instead, whether under a security agreement, an assignment for collection, or some other arrangement. In that case, if the judgment creditor instructs it, the officer personally serves that third person too — and that service itself counts as a levy on whatever amounts the third person owes the judgment debtor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is an account receivable or general intangible levied on?
By personally serving a copy of the writ of execution and a notice of levy on the account debtor.
What if payments go to someone other than the judgment debtor instead?
The officer can serve that third person too, if the creditor instructs it, and that service is itself a levy on amounts the third person owes the debtor.
Does it matter whether the arrangement diverting payments is a security agreement or something else?
No, § 700.170(b) covers any arrangement — security agreement, assignment for collection, or otherwise.
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: levy account receivable general intangible california