Section § 488.600

Explanation

This section explains how certain legal terms and responsibilities apply in situations where a third party is involved in a levy, specifically when it comes to attachment (which is securing an obligation before a judgment). The section lists specific adjustments in terminology: the 'amount to satisfy the judgment' means the amount to secure with attachment; 'execution lien' refers to attachment lien; 'judgment creditor' means plaintiff; 'judgment debtor' means defendant; 'levy' refers to levy of attachment; 'notice of levy' is notice of attachment; 'release' of property refers to releasing it under this title; 'satisfaction or discharge of the judgment' means satisfaction or termination of the attachment; and 'writ of execution' means writ of attachment.

(a)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.600(a) Sections 701.010, 701.020, 701.040, 701.050, 701.060, and 701.070 prescribe duties and liabilities of a third person under a levy made under this title.
(b)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.600(b) For the purposes of this section, references in Sections 701.010, 701.020, 701.040, 701.050, and 701.060 to:
(1)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.600(b)(1) “Amount required to satisfy the judgment” shall be deemed references to the amount required to satisfy the amount to be secured by the attachment.
(2)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.600(b)(2) “Execution lien” or “lien” shall be deemed references to the attachment lien.
(3)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.600(b)(3) “Judgment creditor” shall be deemed references to the plaintiff.
(4)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.600(b)(4) “Judgment debtor” shall be deemed references to the defendant.
(5)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.600(b)(5) “Levy” shall be deemed references to levy of attachment.
(6)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.600(b)(6) “Notice of levy” shall be deemed references to notice of attachment.
(7)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.600(b)(7) “Release” of property shall be deemed references to release of property pursuant to this title.
(8)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.600(b)(8) “Satisfaction or discharge of the judgment” shall be deemed references to the satisfaction or termination of the attachment.
(9)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.600(b)(9) “Writ” or “writ of execution” shall be deemed references to a writ of attachment.
(c)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.600(c) For the purposes of this section, references in Section 701.070 to:
(1)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.600(c)(1) “Levy” shall be deemed references to levy of attachment.
(2)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.600(c)(2) “Notice of the levy” shall be deemed references to notice of attachment.

Section § 488.610

Explanation

This law section explains the process and requirements for a third party (like a bank) when they receive a writ of attachment, which is a legal order to hold a defendant's property or funds. When served, they must provide a detailed garnishee's memorandum to the levying officer within 10 days. This memorandum should include information about any property or debts that have not been surrendered or paid and any other claims or rights known to the third party. If they fail to comply, the court might impose costs and attorney's fees on them. There are exceptions, such as if the financial institution has fully complied with the levy or when the property or funds have already been turned over.

Additionally, if the levy is on a bank account or items in a safe-deposit box, the bank may only need to provide information available at the branch where the levy happened unless it's served at a central location.

(a)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.610(a) At the time of service of a copy of the writ of attachment and a notice of attachment on a third person, the levying officer shall request the third person to give the levying officer a garnishee’s memorandum containing the information required by this section. Within 10 days after the request is made, the third person shall mail or deliver the garnishee’s memorandum to the levying officer whether or not the levy is effective.
(b)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.610(b) The garnishee’s memorandum shall be executed under oath and shall contain the following information:
(1)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.610(b)(1) A description of any property of the defendant sought to be attached that is not delivered to the levying officer and the reason for not delivering the property.
(2)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.610(b)(2) A statement of the amount and terms of any obligation to the defendant sought to be attached that is due and payable and is not paid to the levying officer and the reason for not paying the obligation.
(3)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.610(b)(3) A statement of the amount and terms of any obligation to the defendant sought to be attached that is not due and payable at the time of levy.
(4)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.610(b)(4) A description of claims and rights of other persons to the attached property or obligation that are known to the third person and the names and addresses of those other persons.
(5)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.610(b)(5) A statement that the garnishee holds neither any property nor any obligations in favor of the judgment debtor.
(c)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.610(c) If a garnishee’s memorandum is received from the third person, the levying officer shall promptly mail or deliver a copy of the memorandum to the plaintiff and attach the original to the writ when it is returned to the court. If a garnishee’s memorandum is not received from the third person, the levying officer shall so state in the return.
(d)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.610(d) Except as provided in subdivisions (e) and (f), if a third person does not give the levying officer a garnishee’s memorandum within the time provided in subdivision (a) or does not provide complete information, the third person may, in the court’s discretion, be required to pay the costs and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in any proceedings to obtain the information required in the garnishee’s memorandum.
(e)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.610(e) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), where a deposit account or property in a safe-deposit box is attached, the financial institution need not give a garnishee’s memorandum to the levying officer if the financial institution fully complies with the levy and, if a garnishee’s memorandum is required, the garnishee’s memorandum need provide information with respect only to property which is carried on the records available at the office or branch where the levy is made, unless the levy has been served at a central location designated by a financial institution in accordance with Section 684.115, in which case the garnishee’s memorandum shall apply to all offices and branches of the financial institution except to the extent acceptance of the levy at that central location is limited pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 684.115.
(f)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.610(f) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the third person need not give a garnishee’s memorandum to the levying officer if both of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.610(f)(1) The third person has delivered to the levying officer all of the property sought to be attached.
(2)CA Civil Procedure Code § 488.610(f)(2) The third person has paid to the levying officer the amount due at the time of levy on any obligation to the defendant that was attached and there is no additional amount that thereafter will become payable on the obligation levied upon.

Section § 488.620

Explanation
If someone provides a report about a debtor's assets as required by a legal process, they can't be sued for any information they include in that report.
A third person who gives a garnishee’s memorandum pursuant to this title is not liable to any person for the disclosure in the garnishee’s memorandum of any information contained in the garnishee’s memorandum.