(a) The claimant may make a claim of exemption by filing with the levying officer, either in person or by mail, a claim of exemption together with a copy of the claim. If the claimant is personally served, the claim shall be made within 15 days after the date the notice of levy on the property claimed to be exempt is served on the judgment debtor. If the claimant is served by mail, the claim shall be made within 20 days after the date the notice of levy on the property claimed to be exempt is served on the judgment debtor. If the claim is filed by mail and assigned a tracking number by the United States Postal Service or another common carrier, the filing shall be deemed complete on the date the claim is postmarked. If the claim is filed by mail and not assigned a tracking number, the filing shall be deemed complete on the date the claim is received by the levying officer.
§ 703.520.Filing Claim; Time; Information Included
Title 9. Enforcement of Judgments · Division 2 · Chapter 4. Exemptions · Article 2. Procedure for Claiming Exemptions After Levy · Last amended 2026 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 703.520 requires a claimant to file a sworn claim of exemption with the levying officer within 15 days of personal service, or 20 days of service by mail, of the notice of levy, describing the claimed property and citing the supporting statute, though a claimant asserting a personal-debt exemption may file later under §§ 703.580 and 706.105.
Full Text of § 703.520
(b) The claim of exemption shall be executed under oath and shall include all of the following:
(1) The name of the claimant and the mailing address where service of a notice of opposition to the claim may be made upon the claimant.
(2) The name and last known address of the judgment debtor if the claimant is not the judgment debtor.
(3) A description of the property claimed to be exempt. If an exemption is claimed pursuant to Section 704.010 or 704.060, the claimant shall describe all other property of the same type, including exempt proceeds of the property of the same type, owned by the judgment debtor alone or in combination with others on the date of levy and identify the property, whether or not levied upon, to which the exemption is to be applied. If an exemption is claimed pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 704.100, the claimant shall state the nature and amount of all other property of the same type owned by the judgment debtor or the spouse of the judgment debtor alone or in combination with others on the date of levy.
(4) A financial statement if required by Section 703.530.
(5) A citation of the provision of this chapter or other statute upon which the claim is based.
(6) A statement of the facts necessary to support the claim.
(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), for a personal debt as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 683.110, a claimant may file a claim of exemption more than 20 days after the date the notice of levy is served on the judgment debtor pursuant to Sections 703.580 and 706.105. The levying officer may, nonetheless, release the funds to the judgment creditor at any time after the expiration of the 20-day period.
Plain-English Summary
Once property has been levied on, the clock starts running for the debtor — or anyone else entitled to claim on the debtor's behalf — to protect it. The claim goes to the levying officer, in person or by mail, along with a copy. Subdivision (a) sets the deadline at 15 days after personal service of the notice of levy, or 20 days after service by mail; a mailed claim assigned a tracking number counts as filed on the postmark date, and one without a tracking number counts as filed when the levying officer receives it.
The claim itself, under subdivision (b), has to be sworn and cover six things: the claimant's name and an address for service of any notice of opposition; the debtor's name and last-known address if the claimant isn't the debtor; a description of the property, with extra detail required for certain motor-vehicle, tool-of-trade, or life-insurance exemptions that call for describing other similar property the debtor owns; a financial statement if § 703.530 requires one; a citation to the statute supporting the exemption; and a statement of the supporting facts.
Subdivision (c) carves out relief for debts arising from personal, family, or household transactions — what § 683.110(d) defines as a “personal debt.” A claimant on that kind of debt can file a claim beyond the ordinary 20-day window, following the extended-claim procedures of §§ 703.580 and 706.105, though the levying officer can still release the funds to the creditor once the ordinary 20 days have passed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a debtor have to file a claim of exemption after a levy?
15 days after personal service of the notice of levy, or 20 days after service by mail.
What does a claim of exemption have to include?
The claimant's name and address, the debtor's name and address if different, a description of the exempt property, a financial statement if required, a citation to the supporting statute, and a statement of supporting facts.
Can a claimant file after the normal deadline for a personal debt?
Does mailing the claim near the deadline still count as timely?
Yes, if the mailed claim is assigned a tracking number, it's deemed filed on the postmark date rather than when it's received.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats 2025 ch 708 (AB 774),s 4, eff. 1/1/2026. Added by Stats 2019 ch 552 (SB 616),s 4, eff. 1/1/2020.
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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