§ 724.050.Debtor's Demand for Acknowledgment of Satisfaction
Title 9. Enforcement of Judgments · Division 5 · Chapter 1. Satisfaction of Judgment · Enacted 1982 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 724.050 lets a judgment debtor, property owner, or lienholder demand in writing that the judgment creditor file or deliver an acknowledgment of satisfaction within 15 days, backed by a required statutory warning, a noticed motion to compel if the creditor ignores the demand, and liability for damages plus a $100 penalty if the creditor refuses without just cause.
(a)If a money judgment has been satisfied, the judgment debtor, the owner of real or personal property subject to a judgment lien created under the judgment, or a person having a security interest in or a lien on personal property subject to a judgment lien created under the judgment may serve personally or by mail on the judgment creditor a demand in writing that the judgment creditor do one or both of the following:
(1)File an acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment with the court.
(2)Execute, acknowledge, and deliver an acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment to the person who made the demand.
(b)The demand shall include the following statement: "Important warning. If this judgment has been satisfied, the law requires that you comply with this demand not later than 15 days after you receive it. If a court proceeding is necessary to compel you to comply with this demand, you will be required to pay my reasonable attorney's fees in the proceeding if the court determines that the judgment has been satisfied and that you failed to comply with the demand. In addition, if the court determines that you failed without just cause to comply with this demand within the 15 days allowed, you will be liable for all damages I sustain by reason of such failure and will also forfeit one hundred dollars to me."
(c)If the judgment has been satisfied, the judgment creditor shall comply with the demand not later than 15 days after actual receipt of the demand.
(d)If the judgment creditor does not comply with the demand within the time allowed, the person making the demand may apply to the court on noticed motion for an order requiring the judgment creditor to comply with the demand. The notice of motion shall be served on the judgment creditor. Service shall be made personally or by mail. If the court determines that the judgment has been satisfied and that the judgment creditor has not complied with the demand, the court shall either (1) order the judgment creditor to comply with the demand or (2) order the court clerk to enter satisfaction of the judgment.
(e)If the judgment has been satisfied and the judgment creditor fails without just cause to comply with the demand within the time allowed, the judgment creditor is liable to the person who made the demand for all damages sustained by reason of such failure and shall also forfeit one hundred dollars ($100) to such person. Liability under this subdivision may be determined in the proceedings on the motion pursuant to subdivision (d) or in an action.
Plain-English Summary
This is the enforcement backbone behind §§ 724.030 and 724.040's filing duties. If a money judgment has been satisfied, the judgment debtor — or the owner of property subject to a judgment lien, or someone holding a security interest or lien on personal property subject to that lien — can serve a written demand on the creditor requiring either filing an acknowledgment with the court, delivering one to the person making the demand, or both.
The demand isn't just a request; it must include a specific warning the statute itself dictates, spelling out the 15-day compliance deadline, the risk of paying the demanding party's reasonable attorney's fees if a court proceeding becomes necessary, and the risk of liability for damages plus a $100 forfeiture for noncompliance without just cause. The creditor then has 15 days after receiving the demand to comply, assuming the judgment really has been satisfied.
If the creditor doesn't comply in time, the person who made the demand can bring a noticed motion asking the court to order compliance. If the court finds the judgment satisfied and the creditor noncompliant, it can either order the creditor to comply or order the clerk to enter satisfaction directly. And if the creditor's refusal was without just cause, subdivision (e) makes the creditor liable for all resulting damages plus the $100 penalty, provable either in that same motion proceeding or in a separate action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can serve a demand for an acknowledgment of satisfaction?
The judgment debtor, the owner of real or personal property subject to a judgment lien created under the judgment, or a person holding a security interest in or lien on personal property subject to that lien.
How long does the creditor have to comply once served?
Not later than 15 days after actual receipt of the demand, assuming the judgment has in fact been satisfied.
What happens if the creditor ignores the demand?
The person who made the demand can apply to the court on noticed motion for an order compelling compliance, or the court can order the clerk to enter satisfaction outright.
What penalty applies if the creditor refuses without just cause?
Liability for all damages sustained because of the refusal, plus a forfeiture of one hundred dollars to the person who made the demand.
Must the written demand contain specific language?
Yes. Section 724.050(b) requires a statutory warning explaining the 15-day deadline and the consequences of noncompliance.
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
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