As of September 1, 2020, debt collectors and creditors with judgments for consumer debt are no longer allowed to empty a Californian’s bank account
California’s automatic bank account protection
Like many other areas of consumer protection, California law offers extra protection for its citizens. As of July 1, 2026, a California resident is entitled to an automatic exemption of $2,325 for each judgment debtor under CCP 704.220.
California bank accounts are now automatically protected up to an amount equal to the minimum basic cost of living for a family of four. This figure is adjusted every year based on the cost of living in our state.
The law protecting California bank accounts from being completely emptied due to a levy resulting from a judgment for consumer debt is California Code of Civil Procedure 704.220(a). This law protects money in a judgment debtor’s deposit account in an amount equal to or less than the minimum basic standard of adequate care for a family of four for Region 1, established by Section 11452 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and as annually adjusted by the State Department of Social Services pursuant to Section 11453 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, is exempt without making a claim.
If your account holds more than the protected amount
When California bank accounts have funds in excess of the amount covered by California’s automatic protection and these funds are frozen as a result of a bank levy, these funds may be claimed as exempt if this is the case. A claim of exemption may be filed with the levying sheriff’s department. A claim of exemption must be filed within 15 days (20 days if you received notice by mail) of your receipt of the levy notice, so do not delay claiming your funds as exempt.
To learn more about the laws protecting you from creditors and debt collectors, see our guides.