Section § 724.010

Explanation

If you owe money due to a court judgment, you can settle this debt by paying the full amount owed or a lesser amount if the person you owe agrees. If the debt is cleared through a formal process called a levy, the judgment creditor (the person you owe money to) must confirm that the debt is settled once they receive the full amount from the officer handling the levy. Similarly, if you pay with a check or any non-cash method, the creditor must confirm the debt is settled only after the payment is successfully processed and funds are received.

(a)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.010(a) A money judgment may be satisfied by payment of the full amount required to satisfy the judgment or by acceptance by the judgment creditor of a lesser sum in full satisfaction of the judgment.
(b)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.010(b) Where a money judgment is satisfied by levy, the obligation of the judgment creditor to give or file an acknowledgment of satisfaction arises only when the judgment creditor has received the full amount required to satisfy the judgment from the levying officer.
(c)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.010(c) Where a money judgment is satisfied by payment to the judgment creditor by check or other form of noncash payment that is to be honored upon presentation by the judgment creditor for payment, the obligation of the judgment creditor to give or file an acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment arises only when the check or other form of noncash payment has actually been honored upon presentation for payment.

Section § 724.020

Explanation
The court clerk will officially record that a money judgment has been paid off in the court's records when any of these things happen: a document shows the judgment was paid in full, someone files a form saying the judgment was paid, or the court issues an order confirming it's paid.
The court clerk shall enter satisfaction of a money judgment in the register of actions when the following occur:
(a)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.020(a) A writ is returned satisfied for the full amount of a lump-sum judgment.
(b)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.020(b) An acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment is filed with the court.
(c)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.020(c) The court orders entry of satisfaction of judgment.

Section § 724.030

Explanation

When someone pays off a debt that a court ordered them to pay, the person who was owed the money must quickly let the court know by filing a document that confirms the debt is settled. However, this rule doesn't apply if the debt was fully paid through a court-ordered process called a writ.

When a money judgment is satisfied, the judgment creditor immediately shall file with the court an acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment. This section does not apply where the judgment is satisfied in full pursuant to a writ.

Section § 724.040

Explanation

When a money judgment recorded in a county is fully paid off, the person who was owed the money must promptly confirm that the debt is settled by doing two things: they must file a document with the court acknowledging the payment is complete, and they must also send a copy of this acknowledgment to the person who paid the debt, either in person or by mail.

If an abstract of a money judgment has been recorded with the recorder of any county and the judgment is satisfied, the judgment creditor shall immediately do both of the following:
(a)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.040(a) File an acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment with the court.
(b)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.040(b) Serve an acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment on the judgment debtor. Service shall be made personally or by mail.

Section § 724.050

Explanation

If a person has paid off a court-ordered debt (money judgment), they can officially request the creditor to confirm that the debt is settled. This can be done by having the creditor file a statement with the court or give one directly to the requester. The creditor must fulfill this request within 15 days of receiving it. If they don’t, the person can ask the court to intervene, which might ultimately require the creditor to pay for any attorney fees or damages caused by the delay. The creditor could also be fined $100 if they can't justify the delay. This process ensures official records reflect that the debt has been settled.

(a)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.050(a) If a money judgment has been satisfied, the judgment debtor, the owner of real or personal property subject to a judgment lien created under the judgment, or a person having a security interest in or a lien on personal property subject to a judgment lien created under the judgment may serve personally or by mail on the judgment creditor a demand in writing that the judgment creditor do one or both of the following:
(1)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.050(a)(1) File an acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment with the court.
(2)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.050(a)(2) Execute, acknowledge, and deliver an acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment to the person who made the demand.
(b)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.050(b) The demand shall include the following statement: “Important warning. If this judgment has been satisfied, the law requires that you comply with this demand not later than 15 days after you receive it. If a court proceeding is necessary to compel you to comply with this demand, you will be required to pay my reasonable attorney’s fees in the proceeding if the court determines that the judgment has been satisfied and that you failed to comply with the demand. In addition, if the court determines that you failed without just cause to comply with this demand within the 15 days allowed, you will be liable for all damages I sustain by reason of such failure and will also forfeit one hundred dollars to me.”
(c)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.050(c) If the judgment has been satisfied, the judgment creditor shall comply with the demand not later than 15 days after actual receipt of the demand.
(d)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.050(d) If the judgment creditor does not comply with the demand within the time allowed, the person making the demand may apply to the court on noticed motion for an order requiring the judgment creditor to comply with the demand. The notice of motion shall be served on the judgment creditor. Service shall be made personally or by mail. If the court determines that the judgment has been satisfied and that the judgment creditor has not complied with the demand, the court shall either (1) order the judgment creditor to comply with the demand or (2) order the court clerk to enter satisfaction of the judgment.
(e)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.050(e) If the judgment has been satisfied 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 the motion pursuant to subdivision (d) or in an action.

Section § 724.060

Explanation

When a court judgment has been fully paid or satisfied, an acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment needs to include specific details. It should state information like the court's name, case details, names and addresses of involved parties, judgment dates, and any payment terms. If a judgment lien is involved, it must be recorded or filed in relevant county or state offices to officially clear the lien. This acknowledgment must be formally made by the creditor, their assignee, attorney, or relevant child support agency if they are involved. Additionally, the format should mirror legal property transfer acknowledgments.

(a)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.060(a) An acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment shall contain the following information:
(1)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.060(a)(1) The title of the court.
(2)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.060(a)(2) The cause and number of the action.
(3)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.060(a)(3) The names and addresses of the judgment creditor, the judgment debtor, and the assignee of record if any. If an abstract of the judgment has been recorded in any county, the judgment debtor’s name shall appear on the acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment as it appears on the abstract of judgment.
(4)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.060(a)(4) The date of entry of judgment and of any renewals of the judgment and where entered in the records of the court.
(5)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.060(a)(5) A statement either that the judgment is satisfied in full or that the judgment creditor has accepted payment or performance other than that specified in the judgment in full satisfaction of the judgment.
(6)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.060(a)(6) A statement whether an abstract of the judgment has been recorded in any county and, if so, a statement of each county where the abstract has been recorded and the book and page of the county records where the abstract has been recorded, and a notice that the acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment (or a court clerk’s certificate of satisfaction of judgment) will have to be recorded with the county recorder of each county where the abstract of judgment has been recorded in order to release the judgment lien on real property in that county.
(7)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.060(a)(7) A statement whether a notice of judgment lien has been filed in the office of the Secretary of State and, if such a notice has been filed, a statement of the file number of such notice, and a notice that the acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment (or a court clerk’s certificate of satisfaction of judgment) will have to be filed in that office in order to terminate the judgment lien on personal property.
(b)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.060(b) The acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment shall be made in the manner of an acknowledgment of a conveyance of real property.
(c)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.060(c) The acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment shall be executed and acknowledged by one of the following:
(1)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.060(c)(1) The judgment creditor.
(2)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.060(c)(2) The assignee of record.
(3)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.060(c)(3) The attorney for the judgment creditor or assignee of record unless a revocation of the attorney’s authority is filed.
(4)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.060(c)(4) The local child support agency director or his or her designee, if the local child support agency has been providing child support services pursuant to Section 17400 of the Family Code. The acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment may be recorded by the local child support agency pursuant to Section 27282 of the Government Code.

Section § 724.070

Explanation

This law says that if someone who's owed money after winning a court case tries to make the person who owes them money do extra things or pay more than the court decided, they must pay for any damages caused or pay $250, whichever is higher. However, this doesn't apply if both parties agreed on a plan where the person who owes money offers some form of security or promises to pay the owed amount in smaller parts, as long as these terms don't exceed what was originally owed.

(a)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.070(a) If a judgment creditor intentionally conditions delivery of an acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment upon the performance of any act or the payment of an amount in excess of that to which the judgment creditor is entitled under the judgment, the judgment creditor is liable to the judgment debtor for all damages sustained by reason of such action or two hundred fifty dollars ($250), whichever is the greater amount.
(b)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.070(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply if the judgment creditor has agreed to deliver an acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment to the judgment debtor prior to full satisfaction of the judgment in consideration for the judgment debtor’s agreement either to furnish security or to execute a promissory note, or both, the principal amount of which does not exceed the amount to which the judgment creditor is entitled under the judgment.

Section § 724.080

Explanation
If you win a court case related to this chapter, the judge will make sure the losing side pays for your attorney fees.
In an action or proceeding maintained pursuant to this chapter, the court shall award reasonable attorney’s fees to the prevailing party.

Section § 724.090

Explanation

This law says that if you are entitled to certain damages under this chapter, it doesn't take away your right to additional damages or penalties you might be entitled to under other laws.

The damages recoverable pursuant to this chapter are not in derogation of any other damages or penalties to which an aggrieved person may be entitled by law.

Section § 724.100

Explanation

If a judgment has been satisfied and recorded, you can apply for a certificate from the court clerk by paying a fee. This certificate will confirm that the judgment is settled and will include details like the court's name, case number, names of the people involved, and the dates and locations where the judgment and its satisfaction were recorded.

(a)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.100(a)If satisfaction of a judgment has been entered in the register of actions, the court clerk shall issue a certificate of satisfaction of judgment upon application therefor and payment of the fee as provided in subdivision (a) of Section 70626 of the Government Code.
(b)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.100(b) The certificate of satisfaction of judgment shall contain the following information:
(1)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.100(b)(1) The title of the court.
(2)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.100(b)(2) The cause and number of the action.
(3)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.100(b)(3) The names of the judgment creditor and the judgment debtor.
(4)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.100(b)(4) The date of entry of judgment and of any renewals of the judgment and where entered in the records of the court.
(5)CA Civil Procedure Code § 724.100(b)(5) The date of entry of satisfaction of judgment and where it was entered in the register of actions.