Exemption from the Enforcement of Judgments

This list includes the most common assets and income that may be exempt from levy upon a judgment. This means that state and federal laws prohibit judgment creditors from taking these types of property in order to satisfy their judgment. Exemptions are found in the United States Code (USC) and in the California Codes, primarily the Code of Civil Procedure (CCP). The Guide is an adaptation of Exemptions from the Enforcement of Judgments (EJ-155), a Judicial Council form that lists the exemptions and code sections without additional description. The exemptions are listed in the order they are most frequently claimed.

Because this Guide lists only the most common exemptions, and because of periodic changes in the law, the Guide may not include all the exemptions that may apply in your case. Furthermore, these amounts are subject to change, so you should always check the code sections themselves to make sure that the amount of the exemption is current.

CLICK ON A LINK TO READ THE CODE SECTION

Type of PropertyCodeDescription
Social Security42 USC § 407Exempt.

This material is intended as general information only. Your case may have factors requiring different procedures or forms. The information and instructions are provided for use in the Sacramento County Superior Court. Please keep in mind that each court may have different requirements. If you need further assistance consult a lawyer.