Skip to content
LitigationForms
EJ-160Optional

Claim of Exemption (Enforcement of Judgment)

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective January 1, 2026

This form is used to tell a sheriff or other officer that some or all of the property being taken to pay a judgment should not be collected. It asks the filer to describe the property and the reasons why it should be exempt from collection.

The court describes it as: Claims that some or all of your property being levied is exempt from collection of a judgment. This form is not filed with the court, but instead is filed with the sheriff or other levying officer.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

After judgment

Stage: After judgment

This form is used when someone is trying to collect a judgment and needs to claim that certain property should not be taken. The form must be given to the levying officer, not filed with the court.

Either party may file.

Official instructions

How-to guides published by the court for this form.

Common questions

Do I file this form with the court?
No, this form is not filed with the court; it must be filed with the sheriff or other levying officer.
What should I do if I claim my property is exempt because I need it to live?
If you check the box for item 4, you must attach a completed Financial Statement using form EJ-165.
Who should receive the original and copies of this form?
You must give the levying officer the original completed form and one copy of the completed form.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect January 1, 2026.

Related forms

  • AT-145

    Application and Notice of Hearing for Order to Terminate, Modify, or Vacate Temporary Protective Order

    This form is used to ask the court for an order to end, change, or cancel a Temporary Protective Order. It also tells the other person in the case when a hearing about this request will happen.

    OptionalFillable PDF
  • AT-150

    Order to Terminate, Modify, or Vacate Temporary Protective Order

    This form is used by the court to write an official order that either ends, changes, or cancels a Temporary Protective Order. It records the judge's decision regarding the order that limited a defendant's ability to spend money or transfer property.

    OptionalFillable PDF
  • AT-167

    Memorandum Of Garnishee

    This form is a Memorandum of Garnishee used when someone who received a notice of attachment or levy needs to report to the sheriff (the levying officer) about property or money. It asks the person filling it out to list any property or money they are holding that belongs to the person who owes the money.

    OptionalFillable PDF
  • CM-181

    Notice of Termination or Modification of Stay

    This form is used to tell the court and the other side that a pause (stay) on the case has either ended or has been changed by a different court order. It requires the person filing it to declare that the information is true.

    MandatoryFillable PDF
  • EJ-001

    Abstract of Judgment—Civil and Small Claims

    This form is used to create a written summary of a money judgment from a civil or small claims case. It collects details about the people involved, the amount of money owed, and the status of the judgment so it can be officially recorded.

    MandatoryFillable PDF
  • EJ-100

    Acknowledgment of Satisfaction of Judgment

    This form is used to tell the court and others that a judgment has been paid completely or partially. It can be recorded to remove a lien on property or filed with the Secretary of State to remove a lien on personal property.

    OptionalFillable PDF
  • EJ-130

    Writ of Execution

    This form is a Writ of Execution that directs a sheriff or marshal to take action to enforce a money judgment. It asks the court to authorize actions like taking money from bank accounts, wages, or seizing property.

    OptionalFillable PDF4 translations
  • EJ-135

    Declaration of Address Verification (Wage Garnishment—Enforcement of Judgment)

    This form is used when someone is trying to collect a personal debt using a court judgment. It asks the court to confirm that the person who owes the money (the judgment debtor) has had their address checked within the last 12 months.

    MandatoryFillable PDF3 translations