Enforcement of Judgments in California

Part 2, Title 9, Division 1, Chapter 3, Article 1 of deals with the period for the enforcement and renewal of judgments in California civil actions.

Section 683.010 provides that a judgment is enforceable under this title upon entry.

Section 683.020 specifies that, upon the expiration of 10 years after the date of entry of a money judgment or a judgment for possession or sale of property, the judgment may not be enforced, all enforcement procedures must cease, and any alien created is extinguished.

Section 683.030 says that, if a money judgment is payable in installments, the 10-year period of enforceability runs as to each installment from the date the installment becomes due and runs as to costs from the date the costs are added to the judgment.

Section 683.040 states that, if the judgment creditor applies for a writ for the enforcement of a judgment and the application is made more than 10 years after the date the judgment was entered or renewed, the application must be accompanied by an affidavit of a person having knowledge of the facts stating facts showing that the issuance of the writ sought in the application is not barred under this chapter.

Section 682.050 specifies that nothing in this chapter limits any right the judgment creditor may have to bring an action on a judgment, but any such action must be commenced within the period prescribed