Currently, the California homestead exemption is automatic, meaning that a homestead declaration does not need to be filed with the county clerk. Under the new 2021 law, $300,000–$600,000 of a home's equity cannot be touched by judgment creditors.

List of property or money that is protected (exempt) from judgment collection and the code section that describes the exemption. These code sections are used when completing a Claim of Exemption (form EJ-160). Get form EJ-155. Effective: September 1, 2021.

If wage garnishment means that you can't pay for your family's basic needs, you can ask the court to order the debt collector to stop garnishing your wages or reduce the amount. This is called a Claim of Exemption.

Common household items such as: Appliances, clothing, fuel for residence, furniture, and personal effects CCP § 704.020 Exempt if “ordinarily and reasonably necessary to, and personally used or procured for use by, the judgment debtor and members of the judgment debtor's family at the judgment debtor's principal place ...

§ 487.010. California also provides a list of property exempt from attachment, which includes any property that is exempt from enforcement of a money judgment, property necessary to support a debtor and his or her family, earnings, and all property not defined by statute to be attachable. C.C.P.

You must file forms called Claim of Exemption (WG-006) and Financial Statement (EJ-165) with the Sheriff listed on your paperwork, not the court. File your Claim of Exemption as soon as possible for the most protection. If the judgment creditor opposes your claim, the Sheriff will send the papers to the court.