Bank, Book, or Third-Party Levies
Bank, book, or third-party levies are those where a creditor seeks to satisfy a money judgment through a third party, rather than the judgment debtor directly.
To open a Sheriff’s file for a bank, book, or third-party levy, your registered process server (RPS) must deliver to the Sheriff’s Civil Unit:
Instructions (optional),
A copy of your Writ of Execution, and
A $50.00 fee deposit.
The Sheriff’s Civil Unit will open a file and issue a Sheriff’s File Number. Your RPS should attempt to serve the levy in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §699.080. Within 5 court days of successful service, your RPS must deliver to the Sheriff’s Civil Unit:
Original Writ of Execution and,
Proof of service of the copy of the writ and notices of levy for persons served and,
Written, signed Request for Sheriff to Serve Court Papers and,
Written, signed Special Instructions for Writs and Levies.
The Sheriff’s Civil Unit will verify your documents are in order, legal, timely, and complete. If your submission is incorrect, late, or inconsistent with the other documents submitted, your levy will be released, and the writ will be returned to court unsatisfied.
This is a multi-step complex legal process that may require court hearings, clarifying instructions, claims, competing interests, and other documentation. Because Sheriff’s Office personnel cannot provide legal advice, we recommend you have substantial legal knowledge or an attorney before pursuing this process.