The decree, after it has become final, is conclusive against all persons named in the complaint who have been served and all unknown persons and the heirs and devisees of deceased persons designated in the complaint and served as hereinbefore provided.
§ 801.14.Decree Conclusive Upon Becoming Final
Title 10. Actions In Particular Cases · Chapter 4.6. Actions Concerning Real Property Titles Affected by Public Improvement Assessments · Enacted 1949 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 801.14 makes the final decree conclusive against every person named in the complaint who was served, and against unknown persons and the heirs and devisees of deceased persons designated and served as this chapter requires.
Full Text of § 801.14
Plain-English Summary
Once the decree becomes final, its binding effect reaches everyone the action was designed to reach. That includes every person named in the complaint who was served, and it also includes the unknown persons and the heirs and devisees of deceased claimants that this chapter lets a plaintiff designate and serve without knowing their individual identities.
That reach is what makes this chapter's publication and diligence requirements — the affidavit under § 801.9 and the service rules under § 801.8 — so important upstream. The conclusiveness promised here depends on those earlier steps having been done properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is bound by the final decree under this chapter?
Everyone named in the complaint who was served, plus unknown persons and the heirs and devisees of deceased persons who were designated and served as this chapter requires.
Does the decree bind people who were never properly served?
No. The conclusive effect described here applies only to persons served in accordance with this chapter's requirements.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 1108.
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: final decree conclusive assessment action california