California Codes, Code of Civil Procedure - CCP, Part 2 — Of Civil Actions, Title 9 — Enforcement of Judgments, Division 4 — Third-party Claims and Related Procedures, Chapter 2 — Third-Party Claims of Ownership and Possession, Section 720.160

(a) If the creditor files with the levying officer an undertaking that satisfies the requirements of this section within the time allowed under subdivision (b) of Section 720.140:

(1) The levying officer shall execute the writ in the manner provided by law unless the third person files an undertaking to release the property pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 720.610).

(2) After sale, payment, or delivery of the property pursuant to the writ, the property is free of all claims of the third person for which the creditor has given the undertaking.

(b) Subject to Sections 720.770 and 996.010, unless the creditor elects to file an undertaking in a larger amount, the amount of the undertaking filed by the creditor under this section shall be in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or twice the amount of the execution lien as of the date of levy or other enforcement lien as of the date it was created, whichever is the lesser amount.

(c) An undertaking given by the creditor under this chapter shall:

(1) Be made in favor of the third person.

(2) Indemnify the third person against any loss, liability, damages, costs, and attorney’s fees, incurred by reason of the enforcement proceedings.

(3) Be conditioned on a final judgment that the third person owns or has the right of possession of the property.

(d) If the creditor is a public entity exempt from giving an undertaking, the public entity shall, in lieu of filing the undertaking, file with the levying officer a notice stating that the public entity opposes the claim of the third person. When so filed, the notice is deemed to satisfy the requirement of this section that an undertaking be filed.

Notes

Allows a creditor to overcome a third-party claim by filing an undertaking, after which the officer proceeds unless the third person files a release undertaking. The undertaking is generally the lesser of $10,000 or twice the lien amount and indemnifies the claimant; a public entity exempt from undertaking may file an opposition notice instead, and disposition frees claims.

Use as reference

Lexinter.net | California Code, Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 720.160 | https://laws.lexinter.net/codes/california/code-of-civil-procedure/part-2/title-9/division-4/chapter-2/section-720-160

Disclaimer: Codes available on Lexinter may not reflect the most current laws in your jurisdiction. We make no warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information provided. Always verify the status of any code with your state legislature or official government sources before relying on it for legal purposes.