(a) Upon delivery of the writ of possession or sale to the levying officer to whom the writ is directed, together with the written instructions of the judgment creditor, the levying officer shall execute the writ in the manner prescribed by law.
§ 712.030.Execution of Writ By Levying Officer
Title 9. Enforcement of Judgments · Division 3 · Chapter 1. General Provisions · Enacted 1982 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 712.030 requires the levying officer to execute a writ of possession or sale as prescribed by law once it's delivered along with the judgment creditor's written instructions, and bars any levy or seizure more than 180 days after the writ issued.
Full Text of § 712.030
(b) The levying officer may not levy upon or otherwise seize property under the writ after the expiration of 180 days from the date the writ was issued.
Plain-English Summary
Getting the writ issued is only half the job — someone has to carry it out. This section puts that job on the levying officer, who executes the writ once it's delivered together with the judgment creditor's written instructions telling the officer what to do.
The officer's authority under any given writ doesn't last forever. Section 712.030(b) cuts it off at 180 days from the writ's issuance date — after that, the officer can't levy on or seize property under that writ at all. A creditor who lets a writ go stale past that point needs a fresh one under § 712.010.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the levying officer need before executing a writ of possession or sale?
Delivery of the writ itself, along with the judgment creditor's written instructions.
How long does a levying officer have to act on the writ?
The officer may not levy upon or seize property under the writ more than 180 days after the writ was issued.
What happens if 180 days pass without a levy?
The writ can no longer be used to seize property; the creditor would need to apply for a new writ under § 712.010.
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: execution of writ of possession california180 day deadline writ of possession