Money in a judgment debtor's deposit account that is not otherwise exempt under this chapter is exempt to the extent necessary for the support of the judgment debtor and the spouse and dependents of the judgment debtor.
§ 704.225.Money Necessary For the Support of the Judgment Debtor and the Spouse and Dependents of the Judgment Debtor
Title 9. Enforcement of Judgments · Division 2 · Chapter 4. Exemptions · Article 3. Exempt Property · Enacted 2019 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 704.225 exempts money in a judgment debtor's deposit account, beyond whatever this chapter otherwise protects, to the extent that money is reasonably necessary for the support of the debtor and the debtor's spouse and dependents.
Full Text of § 704.225
Plain-English Summary
This section is the deposit-account backstop for money that doesn't fit any of the chapter's other specific protections. Money in a debtor's deposit account that is not otherwise exempt under this chapter is exempt anyway, to the extent it's necessary for the support of the debtor and the debtor's spouse and dependents.
Unlike § 704.220's flat, automatically-applied amount, this exemption is need-based and has to be claimed and proven — it applies only to the extent necessary, which requires a court to look at the debtor's actual circumstances. The two provisions work together: § 704.220 gives every debtor a baseline amount without any showing at all, while this section lets a debtor who needs more argue for it based on genuine necessity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I protect more than the automatic bank account exemption if I need it?
Yes. Section 704.225 exempts additional money in a deposit account, beyond what's otherwise exempt, to the extent it's reasonably necessary for the support of the debtor and the debtor's spouse and dependents.
Does this exemption apply automatically like the flat-dollar bank account exemption?
No. It requires showing the money is necessary for support, unlike the automatic amount in § 704.220.
How does this section relate to the automatic deposit account exemption?
Section 704.220 provides a baseline amount without any claim; this section lets a debtor claim additional protection based on demonstrated need.
Amendment History
Added by Stats 2019 ch 552 (SB 616),s 9, 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
Also known as: deposit account support exemption californiabank account exempt for family support