(a) If real property is subject to a judgment lien created under an installment judgment, the judgment debtor or the owner of real property subject to the judgment lien may serve on the judgment creditor a demand in writing that the judgment creditor execute, acknowledge, and deliver to the person who made the demand an acknowledgment of satisfaction of matured installments under an installment judgment. Service shall be made personally or by mail.
§ 724.220.Demand for Acknowledgment of Satisfaction of Matured Installments
Title 9. Enforcement of Judgments · Division 5 · Chapter 3. Acknowledgment of Satisfaction of Matured Installments Under Installment Judgment · Enacted 1982 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 724.220 lets a debtor or property owner whose real property is subject to a judgment lien under an installment judgment demand in writing that the creditor acknowledge satisfaction of matured installments as of a specified date, using a required statutory warning, with compliance due within 15 days of actual receipt if the demand's premise is accurate.
Full Text of § 724.220
(b) The demand shall include the following statement: "Important warning. If the matured installments on this judgment have been satisfied as of date specified in this demand, the law requires that you comply with this demand not later than 15 days after you receive it. (The ‛ matured installments' are all amounts and installments that are due and payable on or before the date specified in this demand together with the accrued interest to that date and costs added to the judgment on or before that date.) 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 matured installments have 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 matured installments have been satisfied as of the date specified in the demand, the judgment creditor shall comply with the demand not later than 15 days after actual receipt of the demand.
Plain-English Summary
This section is Chapter 3's version of the demand procedure that runs through this division, adapted for a judgment paid off in installments. If real property is subject to a judgment lien created under an installment judgment, the judgment debtor or the property owner can serve the creditor with a written demand — personally or by mail — for an acknowledgment that the matured installments have been satisfied as of a date the demand specifies.
As with the demand for full satisfaction under § 724.050, this demand must carry a required statutory warning explaining the stakes: the 15-day compliance deadline, the possibility of paying the demanding party's attorney's fees if a court proceeding becomes necessary, and the risk of damages plus a $100 forfeiture for an unjustified refusal. The warning also has to explain, in the statute's own terms, what matured installments means — the amounts due plus accrued interest and added costs, all as of the date specified.
If the matured installments have in fact been satisfied as of that date, subdivision (c) requires the creditor to comply within 15 days after receiving the demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can serve this demand?
The judgment debtor, or the owner of real property subject to a judgment lien created under an installment judgment.
What does the demand ask the creditor to acknowledge?
That the matured installments under the installment judgment have been satisfied as of a date the demand specifies.
How long does the creditor have to comply?
Not later than 15 days after actual receipt of the demand, if the matured installments have in fact been satisfied by the specified date.
Must this demand include a warning like the one for full satisfaction?
Yes, § 724.220(b) requires a statutory warning explaining the deadline, potential attorney's fees, and potential damages and forfeiture for 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
Also known as: demand acknowledgment satisfaction matured installments californiainstallment judgment payment acknowledgment