How to Serve a Bank Levy in Los Angeles County: 2026 Attorney Guide for Private Process Servers

1. Opening the Sheriff's Bank Levy Account in Los Angeles County

Before any levy can occur, an account must be opened with the correct LASD Civil Management Bureau branch.

🔍 How to Identify the Correct Branch

To determine which of the 19 Civil Management Bureau branches has jurisdiction over your target service address:

When performing a bank levy, it is crucial to serve the levy at the specific branch or the central address designated for service by the bank. Serving the wrong bank branch can invalidate the process. The sheriff’s department is responsible for overseeing the levy process and ensuring legal compliance.

Use the LASD “Find a Serving Office” Tool: The most reliable method is the Los Angeles Sheriff Jurisdiction Lookup. Enter the bank’s service address to find which station or court branch manages that territory. A separate writ of execution is required for each county where a levy will be executed.

Introduction to Bank Levies

A bank levy is one of the most effective legal tools available to a judgment creditor seeking to collect money from a judgment debtor. When a court issues a judgment, the creditor can request a writ of execution, which authorizes a levying officer—typically the sheriff or a registered process server—to seize assets belonging to the debtor. Among the most accessible assets are funds held in the judgment debtor’s bank account.

To execute a bank levy, the judgment creditor must first identify the financial institution where the debtor banks. In California, many large banks are required by law to maintain a designated central address for receiving levy-related documents, streamlining the process and allowing creditors to execute bank levies immediately and efficiently. Once the correct bank and its central address are identified, the creditor prepares the necessary court forms and instructions, ensuring all details about the debtor’s bank accounts are accurate.

A registered process server or the sheriff’s department then serves the writ of execution and notice of levy on the financial institution. This action freezes the debtor’s funds, preventing withdrawals and allowing the levying officer to collect money directly from the account. For a successful bank levy, it is crucial to follow all procedural requirements, serve the correct branch or central location, and provide complete, accurate information. By understanding each step and acting quickly, creditors can maximize their chances of recovering the debt owed through a bank account levy.

Required Documents to Open the File:

Before the process server attempts to serve the bank, the following must be delivered to the Sheriff to open the levy file:

• Original Writ of Execution (Form EJ‑130)
• Must be issued within 180 days
• Notice of Levy (EJ‑150)
  One addressed to the financial institution
  One addressed to the judgment debtor
• Completed Form Sheriff Instructions SER-001
  On page 4, Section 6, you must select the option stating: “No. I only want the sheriff to act as levying officer. A registered process server has or will serve my papers.”
• Completed Form Sheriff Instructions SER-001A
  Must include the bank name and branch, and debtor information.
• Signed Letter of Instruction from attorney/creditor
  (Provided by Countrywide Process upon request)
• $50.00 Sheriff fee deposit (per financial institution)
  All Fees can be advanced by Countrywide Process, if requested.
• Electronic Writ Declaration for California.
  Keep in mind that Sheriff Forms may differ by county.
• New rule in personal debt cases: verify the debtor’s addressIf your case is in regards to personal debt (money for personal, family, or household use), you must verify the debtor’s address before the sheriff can serve the levy.

Fill out: EJ–135 Declaration of Address Verification

• $50.00 per bank to be served (Advanced by Countrywide Process upon authorization)

Depending on the circumstances, you may also need to provide a certified copy of the court judgment, a fictitious business name statement, a spousal affidavit, or other documents such as a Claim of Exemptions or bank memoranda to support the levy file and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Service should not occur until the file is accepted.

Levy File Assignment

Once submitted, the LASD adopts the existing Case Number as a Levying Officer File Number. This number must appear on all subsequent documents.

2. Serving the Financial Institution by an RPS

Registered Private Process Server (RPS) Takes Over

The RPS named on SER-001/001A becomes authorised to carry out service. The Sheriff does not perform the physical service.

Targeting Designated Service Locations

Under CCP § 684.115:

• If the bank has 10+ branches in California, it may have a Central Location for Service.
• Major banks (e.g., Wells Fargo, Chase) often designate Downtown LA or Glendale as their required service point.
• Serving the levy at the designated central address allows the levy to reach one or more accounts held by the debtor at that bank, regardless of which branch the accounts are located in.

RPS Levy Packet Must Include:

• Notice of Levy (EJ-150) (One made out to the Bank and another to the debtor)
• Memorandum of Garnishee (EJ-152)
• Copy of the Writ of Execution (EJ-130)
• Exemption Claim Forms (EJ-155, EJ-156, EJ-160, EJ-165)
• Other documents, such as supporting legal filings, Claim of Exemptions, or bank memoranda, may be included as needed.

Note: If you are levying on accounts at multiple banks or in different counties, you must obtain a separate writ of execution for each bank or county.

3. Filing Proof of Service with the Sheriff

Deadline

• The original Proof of Service must be returned to the same LASD Civil Branch where the levy file was opened within five court days.

Bank Response

Banks have 10 days to respond by returning the Memorandum of Garnishee and funds to the Sheriff. When a bank levy in Los Angeles County is served, the bank must complete a Memorandum of Garnishee confirming the amount of the debtor’s funds frozen in the debtor’s account. The bank is required to determine whether the funds in the debtor’s account are exempt from seizure; only non-exempt funds will be released to satisfy the judgment. A bank levy is an action by a judgment creditor to freeze the funds in the judgment debtor’s bank account and to authorize the bank to release any non-exempt funds to the creditor. The bank levy removes funds from the debtor’s bank accounts and delivers them to the creditor.

Disbursement

• If no Claim of Exemption is filed within 15–20 days, the Sheriff will disburse collected funds to the judgment creditor. Debtors can contest a bank levy by filing a claim of exemption within 15 to 20 days after receiving the notice of levy. Certain funds, such as Social Security benefits or money needed for basic needs, are exempt from seizure under a bank levy, allowing debtors to cover essential living expenses. If a creditor disputes the claim of exemption regarding these certain funds, a court hearing may be required to resolve the issue.

Key LASD Civil Management Bureau Branch Locations

Why Levies Fail: Common Pitfalls

“Levy Killers” Include:

• Serving the wrong branch or failing to serve the Central Location
• Expired or stale Writs (older than 180 days)
• Failing to file Proof of Service back with the correct Sheriff branch
• Missing a key deadline (e.g., payday, response windows)

Partner with Countrywide Process

Countrywide Process has decades of experience coordinating RPS-based bank levies in Los Angeles County. We understand:

• How to target the right Central Service Location
• How to coordinate with LASD
• How to ensure all forms, filing, and service meet legal deadlines

Let us help your firm avoid costly rejection or release of levied funds. We act as your partner throughout the entire process.