When the debtor owns tangible assets - vehicles, business equipment, inventory, jewelry - you can have the sheriff seize and sell them. Direct, visible enforcement that gets their attention.
Under CCP § 700.010 et seq., you can levy on virtually any tangible personal property owned by the judgment debtor. The sheriff physically seizes the property, holds it, and sells it at public auction.
Cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, RVs, trailers. Sheriff can seize from the street, driveway, or parking lot.
Machinery, tools, computers, office furniture. Great target for business debtors with equipment equity.
Retail stock, raw materials, finished goods. Sheriff can seize entire inventory of a business.
Jewelry, art, collectibles, electronics. Anything of value that can be sold at auction.
The sheriff physically takes possession of the property, stores it, and sells it at auction. Used for vehicles, equipment, and valuables that can be moved and stored. The debtor loses possession immediately upon levy.
Under CCP § 700.070, the sheriff places a "keeper" at a business location for up to 10 days. The keeper monitors all transactions and collects cash from sales. Excellent for retail businesses, restaurants, and cash-heavy operations.
A quick single-visit levy where the sheriff goes to a business and takes whatever cash is in the register at that moment. Cheaper than a full keeper levy but only captures one snapshot of cash on hand.
Schedule till taps for end-of-day on weekends (maximum cash in register) or right after lunch rush for restaurants. The sheriff can hit multiple business locations on the same writ.
Not everything can be seized. California law protects certain personal property from execution under CCP § 704.010 et seq. The debtor must actively claim these exemptions.
| Property Type | Exemption Amount | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Motor vehicle equity | $3,325 (higher if needed for work) | CCP § 704.010 |
| Household furnishings | Ordinary and necessary items | CCP § 704.020 |
| Personal effects (clothing, etc.) | Ordinary and reasonably necessary | CCP § 704.020 |
| Tools of trade | $9,700 | CCP § 704.060 |
| Jewelry, heirlooms, art | $9,700 total | CCP § 704.040 |
| Health aids | 100% exempt | CCP § 704.050 |
California adjusts exemption amounts periodically for inflation. Verify current amounts before calculating whether a levy makes sense. These figures are approximate.
Levying on vehicles is one of the most common and effective personal property executions. Here's how it works:
Run a DMV search to find all vehicles registered to the debtor. Many people own multiple cars, boats, or recreational vehicles. A single writ can cover multiple vehicles.
Vehicle levies have significant costs. Make sure the equity justifies the expense:
If total costs are $500-800 and the vehicle only has $2,000 equity (after subtracting exemption and liens), the net recovery is minimal. Target higher-value vehicles.
Yes. At any time before the sale, the debtor can pay the full judgment amount plus all costs and fees to release the property. Many debtors will pay once their car is actually towed - the levy gets their attention in a way that demand letters don't.
If the property value is less than the applicable exemption amount, the debtor can claim the exemption and the property will be released. However, the debtor must actively file the exemption claim within the statutory period - exemptions aren't automatic. If they miss the deadline, the property sells regardless.
Yes, if it's the debtor's property (not the employer's). Common examples: a contractor's tools kept at a job site, or a salesperson's vehicle parked at work. The sheriff can levy on the debtor's property wherever it's located - home, work, storage unit, or public street.
A third party can file a "third-party claim" asserting ownership. You'll then need to either release the property or post a bond and litigate ownership. This is common with vehicles titled to family members or business equipment owned by entities. Do your homework before levying on property that might belong to someone else.
After the notice period, the sheriff conducts a public auction. Anyone can bid. Payment is typically required immediately in cash or cashier's check. The highest bidder gets the property. Sale proceeds pay sheriff's fees first, then your judgment. As the creditor, you can credit bid - use your judgment as payment rather than cash.
Digital assets present unique challenges. If the cryptocurrency is held on an exchange (Coinbase, etc.), you may be able to levy on the account like a bank account. Self-custodied crypto in hardware wallets is harder - you'd need to obtain the wallet device and force disclosure of keys, likely through debtor examination and contempt proceedings. This is an evolving area of law.
I handle California personal property levies from asset identification through sheriff's sale. Vehicle seizures, keeper levies, till taps - professional judgment enforcement.