EJ-150 Notice of Levy in California: Complete Guide for Creditors

Receiving legal paperwork about frozen money or seized property can be a critical step in collecting what you are owed. The EJ-150 form sits at the center of this process in California, and understanding its meaning can help a judgment creditor (called the judgment creditor) enforce their rights efficiently against the judgment debtor (called the judgment debtor).

EJ-150 is used when a creditor has won a lawsuit and is taking legal action to collect money from the debtor in California. The EJ-150 serves as a formal notice that a judgment creditor is enforcing their rights to seize property in California's post-judgment debt collection process.

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Quick Answer: What EJ-150 Is and Why It Matters

The EJ-150 is California’s official Notice of Levy form, used when a sheriff or levying officer seizes money or property to satisfy a civil judgment. It’s the document that formally notifies a judgment debtor that enforcement action is underway against their bank account, personal property, or other assets.

In 2024 and 2025, EJ-150 is typically served after a Writ of Execution (EJ-130) has been issued by the court and a bank levy or property levy is in process. The form confirms that enforcement has moved from paperwork to action—real money is being frozen or taken.

For a judgment creditor, EJ-150 serves as proof that the levy has been properly served on the financial institution or other party holding the debtor’s assets.

One important clarification: EJ-150 does not create the judgment itself. It enforces an existing judgment entered in a California court, typically within the last 10 years. The underlying court order already decided who owes what—this form simply puts that decision into action.

This article is written as a legal self-help resource for creditors, using plain language rather than dense legal jargon.

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Understanding the Role of EJ-150 in Judgment Enforcement

California’s Enforcement of Judgments Law (Code of Civil Procedure § 680.010 et seq.) creates a structured process for collecting money owed under court judgments, using tools such as wage garnishment, bank levies, and property seizure. The EJ-150 Notice of Levy form is one critical piece of this enforcement system.

To understand EJ-150, you need to know two key players:

• Judgment creditor: The person or business who won the case and is owed money
• Judgment debtor: The person who lost and owes the money

After a judgment is entered by a judge, interest accrues daily on the amount owed. If the debtor does not voluntarily pay within about 30 days, the creditor can begin formal enforcement procedures.

The typical sequence works like this:

1. The creditor obtains a Writ of Execution (form EJ-130) from the court clerk
2. The creditor delivers the writ to the sheriff’s department with instructions
3. The sheriff serves the levy on banks, employers, or other third parties holding debtor assets
4. The levying officer issues the EJ-150 to notify the debtor and other interested parties

The EJ-150 is a statewide Judicial Council form, recognized in all California counties. It’s updated periodically (for example, revisions effective January 1, 2021, or later), so always verify you’re working with the current version.

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When and How EJ-150 Is Used in a Bank Levy

The most common use of EJ-150 is in a bank levy, where funds in checking, savings, or money market accounts are frozen to pay a civil judgment, as part of broader strategies for collecting and enforcing court-ordered monetary judgments. This section explains what happens when creditors pursue this enforcement method.

(Note: You must provide the court with a file-endorsed copy of your judgment to initiate a bank levy. Failure to submit the correct paperwork or meet deadlines can result in delays or loss of your right to collect.)

The creditor must typically know—or make educated guesses about—where the debtor banks. This might mean leveraging major banks statewide, local credit unions, or online banks with branches in specific counties, such as Los Angeles or Sacramento.

Once the sheriff or registered process server serves the bank with the writ and levy package, the bank must freeze non-exempt funds as of the exact date and time of service. Even pending transactions may be blocked.

The process unfolds as follows:

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A levy can affect joint accounts (for example, accounts in both spouses’ names) and business accounts if the debtor operates under a fictitious business name on file with the county.

The EJ-150 itself identifies:

• The court case number
• The total amount owed (including interest and costs)
• The levying officer handling the matter
• The bank or institution where the levy was placed

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Step-by-Step: How Creditors Use EJ-150 in California

Creditors don’t fill out EJ-150 themselves. Instead, they trigger its issuance by following the correct enforcement steps with the court and sheriff. Here’s how the process works at a high level.

The basic sequence for creditors:

1. Locate the debtor’s bank or other assets
2. Obtain a Writ of Execution (form EJ-130) from the court
3. Prepare levy instructions and any required supporting affidavits—be sure to write clear instructions or affidavits to avoid delays
4. Deliver the writ and instructions to the county sheriff
5. The sheriff serves the levy and issues EJ-150 to notify relevant parties

Tip: Contact the sheriff’s department or relevant agency to confirm their procedures and any deadlines before submitting your documents.

Throughout this process, you may need additional California forms, and a clear understanding of the critical role of a writ of execution in judgment enforcement:

• EJ-130 (Writ of Execution)
• MC-030 (Spousal Declaration, if reaching community property)
• Certified copy of fictitious business name statement (if levying business accounts)

The creditor must choose the county where the debtor’s assets are located. For example, a levy on a Sacramento bank account is handled by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Civil Division, not the county where the original case was filed.

After EJ-150 is served, the bank typically has about 10 days to respond by surrendering non-exempt funds or filing a Memorandum of Garnishee (form EJ-152) explaining why funds cannot be turned over.

If the debtor files a Claim of Exemption, it must be filed with the levying officer, typically the local sheriff, not the court.

Important: Monitor all deadlines closely. The writ has 180-day validity, and you have limited time to oppose any Claim of Exemption the debtor files.

Locating Accounts and Preparing for the Levy

Finding where a debtor keeps their money is often the hardest part of enforcement. Creditors have several tools available:

• Judgment Debtor’s Statement of Assets (SC-133): Required in small claims cases
• Debtor’s examination: A court hearing where the debtor must appear and disclose bank names and account information under oath; effective use of a judgment debtor examination to uncover assets and income is essential, and creditors should understand the full debtor’s exam process and legal rights involved
• Past payment records: Checks or electronic payments the debtor previously sent may reveal their bank

To schedule a debtor’s examination, creditors use an Order to Appear for Examination (form EJ-125 in the superior court). The debtor receives a court date and must appear to answer questions about their assets under penalty of perjury.

If you’re unsure which bank the debtor uses, you can levy multiple major banks simultaneously. However, each levy requires a separate filing fee with the sheriff, so costs can add up quickly, especially when you combine levies with other judgment enforcement methods such as debtor examinations and writs of execution.

Special situations require additional paperwork:

• Spousal accounts: A Spousal Declaration or affidavit may be required to reach community property funds held only in a spouse’s name
• Business accounts: A certified copy of the fictitious business name statement connects the debtor to accounts held under the business name

Timing and Service of the Levy

A Writ of Execution in California is valid for 180 days from the date issued. The levy must be served while the writ remains valid—serve it on day 181, and you’ll need to request a new writ. If you miss the deadline or fail to serve the levy properly, you could lose the opportunity to enforce the judgment and collect what is owed, just as failing to renew a judgment before it expires can forfeit your long-term collection rights.

Smart creditors often levy strategically. Accounts are most likely to have funds:

• Shortly after regular paydays
• After contract payments or settlements are deposited
• Early in the month, before rent and bills are paid

Only a sheriff or a registered process server authorized by the sheriff can legally serve the bank with levy papers that trigger EJ-150. Process servers can often schedule an exact date for service, helping maximize the amount captured.

Once served, the debtor typically learns about the levy when:

• Debit card transactions suddenly decline
• Checks bounce unexpectedly
• Online bill payments fail
• The EJ-150 arrives in the mail

After EJ-150 Is Served: Funds, Deadlines, and Court Hearings

After the notice of levy is served, the bank must hold the funds frozen while the debtor is notified and given an opportunity to claim exemptions.

The debtor generally has 10-15 days (depending on levy type and service method) to file a Claim of Exemption (form EJ-160) and, if required, a Financial Statement (form EJ-165). You must file a Claim of Exemption within 15 days of receiving the Notice of Levy to prevent the levy.

If the debtor files a claim, the levying officer mails copies to the creditor. If the judgment debtor files a Claim of Exemption, the Sheriff will send a copy of the Claim of Exemption and Financial Statement to the judgment creditor. The judgment creditor has 10 days to respond to a Claim of Exemption after receiving the notice from the Sheriff. If the judgment creditor does not oppose the Claim of Exemption, the funds will be returned to the debtor after 10 days. If the other party does not file a response to your Claim of Exemption within 10 days, your claim is approved, and the sheriff will return the money, making it especially important to track expenses carefully and consider filing a memorandum of costs to recover allowable enforcement expenses.

The creditor then has a short deadline—often 10 days—to file an opposition if they disagree with the exemption claim. In some cases, the judgment creditor may need to complete and file two forms as part of the process to oppose a claim of exemption.

When opposition is filed:

1. The court schedules a hearing date
2. A tentative ruling is typically posted online by 2:00 p.m. the business day before
3. Either party can request oral argument (usually by calling by 4:00 p.m. the day before)
4. The judge issues a final order at or after the hearing

Once the court order is issued, the sheriff releases non-exempt funds to the creditor and returns any exempt funds to the debtor. That particular levy under the EJ-150 notice is then complete.

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Role of the Levying Officer in the Levy Process

The levying officer—most often the sheriff’s department in the county where the assets are located—plays a central role in the enforcement of a judgment. Once the court issues a writ of execution, the levying officer is responsible for carrying out the court’s order to seize the judgment debtor’s assets, such as a bank account or other personal property, to satisfy the judgment.

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Claim of Exemption: What Creditors Need to Know

When a judgment debtor receives a notice of levy, they have the right to protect certain assets by filing a claim of exemption. This is a crucial part of the levy process that every creditor should understand.

A claim of exemption allows the judgment debtor to assert that some or all of the assets being levied—such as funds in a bank account—are legally protected from collection. Common exemptions include social security benefits, certain types of income, and other assets protected by law.

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Opposing the Other Side: Responding to Debtor Challenges

If a judgment debtor files a claim of exemption, creditors must act quickly to protect their rights. Opposing a claim of exemption involves a specific process and strict deadlines.

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EJ-150 in Other Types of Levy and Enforcement Actions

While bank levies are most common, the EJ-150 Notice of Levy form also applies to other personal property levies and, in some cases, to real property enforcement, and it often works alongside other tools such as wage garnishment for judgment creditors.

Beyond bank accounts, a Notice of Levy may be served when the sheriff seizes:

• Vehicles
• Business equipment
• Rental income due to the debtor
• Accounts receivable owed to the debtor
• Safe deposit box contents

Similar exemption rules apply to personal property. Income and property needed to support yourself and your family are protected from collection. Certain types of income and property are exempt from collection under state and federal law. A complete list of these exemptions can be found in the Exemptions from the Enforcement of Judgments form (EJ-155). Forms EJ-155 (exemptions list) and EJ-156 (additional exemption amounts) detail what may be protected.

In small claims and limited civil cases, a levy can be served after 30 days have passed since the Notice of Entry of Judgment (form SC-130) was filed, or after the appeal deadlines have expired.

EJ-150 may be part of broader enforcement strategies, including:

• Wage garnishment: Uses an Earnings Withholding Order (form WG-002), not EJ-150
• Real property liens: Filed using an Abstract of Judgment (form EJ-001)
• Real estate sale: May follow homestead exemption hearings in some counties

Important distinction: Don’t confuse a bank levy with wage garnishment. A bank levy (EJ-150) notifies a bank and freezes funds already deposited. An earnings withholding order (WG-002 and WG-006) notifies an employer and takes a percentage of future wages before you receive them. These are separate enforcement tools with different forms and procedures.

For real property levies under writs of execution, the debtor has additional time. The notice of sale cannot be given until at least 120 days after service of the Notice of Levy, giving debtors an opportunity to satisfy the judgment, find buyers, or negotiate with the creditor.

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Alternatives to Levy: Other Enforcement Options for Creditors

A bank levy is a powerful tool, but it’s not the only way to enforce a judgment in California. Creditors have several other options to collect what they are owed, depending on the judgment debtor’s assets and financial situation, many of which resemble the approaches used to collect small claims judgments successfully.

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Practical Tips, Deadlines, and Where to Get Help

Strict deadlines control every aspect of EJ-150-related actions. Missing them can permanently affect creditors’ rights, so applying the top tips to collect a judgment successfully can help you stay organized and proactive. Here’s what to remember.

Whenever you need to confirm satisfaction of judgment or request the filing of a satisfaction, send a formal letter to the judgment creditor or sheriff. This helps document your communication and ensures your request is clear and timely, which is especially important given that California civil judgments can last 10 years and be renewed.

Key Deadlines Summary

For Creditors

• Keep a written log of every date: when the writ was issued, when you delivered paperwork to the sheriff, when EJ-150 was served, and when responses are due
• Notify the sheriff’s department promptly of any changes in case status
• Monitor exemption claim deadlines and file opposition quickly if you disagree
• Proof of each step protects you if disputes arise later

Where to Find Help

If you can’t afford an attorney, several free or low-cost resources exist:

• County law library self-help desks: Available in most California counties
• Court self-help centers: Staff can’t give legal advice but can explain forms and procedures
• Local legal aid organizations: May provide free representation for qualifying individuals
• California Courts Self-Help website: Detailed sections on collecting judgments and responding to bank levies

Document Everything

Creditors should maintain organized files containing:

• EJ-150 (Notice of Levy)
• EJ-152 (Memorandum of Garnishee, if applicable)
• EJ-155 (Exemptions list)
• EJ-160 (Claim of Exemption)
• EJ-165 (Financial Statement)
• All court orders related to the levy
• Correspondence with the sheriff and other parties

Date everything and keep records for the life of the judgment, which can remain enforceable for up to 10-20 years if properly renewed; many of the same record-keeping principles apply across jurisdictions when using tools like asset seizure, wage garnishment, and writs of execution to collect court judgments effectively.

Understanding how the EJ-150 process works enables you to act effectively and protect your interests under California law. Similar principles apply when working with a nationwide judgment enforcement firm that handles collections without upfront fees, or with a professional service that manages judgment collection from start to finish.

Creditors in other states encounter comparable issues, whether following an Arizona judgment collection guide covering garnishments and property seizures, learning how to collect a judgment in Florida with bank levies and liens, or reviewing practical steps to collect on a small claims judgment.

Cross-border enforcement may involve sister-state judgments under the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act and an understanding of the differences between state and federal judgments for collection.