(a) If the matured installments under the installment judgment have been satisfied as of the date specified in the demand 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 a motion pursuant to Section 724.230 or in an action.
§ 724.240.Liability for Failure to Comply With Demand
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 724.240 makes a judgment creditor who fails without just cause to comply with a matured-installments demand liable for all resulting damages plus a $100 forfeiture, provable in the § 724.230 motion or in a separate action, and clarifies these remedies don't replace any other damages or penalties available by law.
Full Text of § 724.240
(b) The damages recoverable pursuant to subdivision (a) are not in derogation of any other damages or penalties to which an aggrieved person may be entitled by law.
Plain-English Summary
This section mirrors § 724.090's damages provision, adapted for the matured-installments demand. If the matured installments have in fact been satisfied as of the date specified in the demand, and the creditor fails without just cause to comply within the allowed time, the creditor is liable to the person who made the demand for all resulting damages, plus a $100 forfeiture to that person.
That liability doesn't require a separate lawsuit — subdivision (a) lets it be determined in the same motion proceeding under § 724.230, or, if the demanding party prefers, in a standalone action. Subdivision (b) then confirms these remedies aren't exclusive: they sit alongside whatever other damages or penalties the aggrieved person might otherwise be entitled to under the law.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers liability under this section?
The matured installments have in fact been satisfied as of the date specified in the demand, andthe creditor fails without just cause to comply within the time § 724.220 allows.
What can the demanding party recover?
All damages sustained because of the creditor's failure to comply, plus a $100 forfeiture.
Where can this liability be determined?
Either in the proceedings on the motion under § 724.230, or in a separate action.
Are these the only remedies available for a creditor's noncompliance?
No, subdivision (b) makes clear these damages aren't in derogation of any other damages or penalties available by law.
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: liability failure comply matured installments demand californiapenalty ignoring installment judgment demand