{"product_id":"claimkit-collections","title":"Collections Add-On: California Small Claims Judgment Recovery Kit","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.ckp-lede{font-family:'Inter',system-ui,sans-serif;font-size:17px;line-height:1.65;color:#2b2b2b;margin:0 0 14px;}\n.ckp-trust{font-family:'Inter',system-ui,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;color:#7A7570;margin:0 0 22px;}\n.ckp-desc h3{font-family:'Plus Jakarta Sans',system-ui,sans-serif;color:#466B61;font-size:20px;margin:28px 0 10px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:-0.01em;}\n.ckp-desc \u003e p, .ckp-catch li{font-family:'Inter',system-ui,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6;color:#2b2b2b;}\n.ckp-catch{margin:0 0 8px;padding-left:20px;}\n.ckp-catch li{margin:0 0 12px;}\n.ckp-fold{border:1px solid #e7e3da;border-radius:10px;margin:0 0 10px;background:#fff;}\n.ckp-fold summary{cursor:pointer;font-family:'Plus Jakarta Sans',system-ui,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:600;color:#466B61;padding:13px 16px;list-style-position:inside;}\n.ckp-fold summary::marker{color:#5E8B7E;}\n.ckp-fold-body{padding:2px 16px 14px;font-family:'Inter',system-ui,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6;color:#2b2b2b;}\n.ckp-fold-body ul,.ckp-fold-body ol{padding-left:20px;margin:8px 0;}\n.ckp-fold-body li{margin:0 0 10px;}\n.ckm-wrap{background:#EEF4F2;border:1px solid #d5e3de;border-radius:14px;padding:20px 20px 18px;margin:0 0 26px;}\n.ckm-eyebrow{display:inline-block;font-family:'Plus Jakarta Sans',system-ui,sans-serif;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#5E8B7E;background:#fff;border-radius:20px;padding:4px 10px;margin:0 0 8px;}\n.ckm-title{font-family:'Plus Jakarta Sans',system-ui,sans-serif;font-size:19px;color:#466B61;margin:0 0 4px;font-weight:700;}\n.ckm-sub{font-family:'Inter',system-ui,sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#7A7570;margin:0 0 14px;}\n.ckm-q{font-family:'Plus Jakarta Sans',system-ui,sans-serif;font-size:15px;font-weight:600;color:#2b2b2b;margin:0 0 10px;}\n.ckm-count{font-family:'Inter',system-ui,sans-serif;font-size:12px;color:#7A7570;margin:0 0 4px;}\n.ckm-opts{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:8px;}\n.ckm-opt{font-family:'Inter',system-ui,sans-serif !important;font-size:14px !important;line-height:1.3 !important;color:#466B61 !important;background:#fff !important;border:1.5px solid #c9dcd5 !important;border-radius:24px !important;padding:9px 15px !important;cursor:pointer !important;text-transform:none !important;letter-spacing:0 !important;min-height:0 !important;width:auto !important;box-shadow:none !important;}\n.ckm-opt:hover{border-color:#5E8B7E !important;background:#f7fbf9 !important;}\n.ckm-result p{font-family:'Inter',system-ui,sans-serif;font-size:14.5px;line-height:1.6;color:#2b2b2b;margin:0 0 10px;}\n.ckm-result .ckm-r-cta{font-weight:600;color:#466B61;}\n.ckm-result a{color:#466B61;}\n.ckm-restart{font-family:'Inter',system-ui,sans-serif !important;font-size:13px !important;color:#7A7570 !important;background:transparent !important;border:none !important;padding:2px 0 !important;cursor:pointer !important;text-decoration:underline !important;box-shadow:none !important;width:auto !important;min-height:0 !important;}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"ckp-desc\"\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"ckp-lede\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYou won. Now turn the judgment into money in your account.\u003c\/strong\u003e The court's part is done, and the collection side is yours to run: the forms, the timing, and the scripts, with a check at each step so nothing stalls. You're doing this yourself, but you won't be guessing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"ckp-trust\"\u003e$49 one time. 12 post-judgment documents, including the two insider field guides. Instant download, free updates for life, 7-day full refund.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"ckm-wrap\" id=\"ckm-collections\"\u003e\n  \u003cspan class=\"ckm-eyebrow\"\u003eFree check\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003ch3 class=\"ckm-title\" style=\"margin-top:0;\"\u003eSee your fastest path to the money\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp class=\"ckm-sub\"\u003eThree questions, about 30 seconds, no email needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckm-step\" data-step=\"1\"\u003e\n    \u003cp class=\"ckm-count\"\u003e1 of 3\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp class=\"ckm-q\"\u003eHow long since the judgment?\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"ckm-opts\"\u003e\n      \u003cbutton type=\"button\" class=\"ckm-opt\" data-q=\"q1\" data-v=\"under30\"\u003eUnder 30 days\u003c\/button\u003e\n      \u003cbutton type=\"button\" class=\"ckm-opt\" data-q=\"q1\" data-v=\"months\"\u003e1 to 6 months\u003c\/button\u003e\n      \u003cbutton type=\"button\" class=\"ckm-opt\" data-q=\"q1\" data-v=\"longer\"\u003eLonger than that\u003c\/button\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckm-step\" data-step=\"2\" hidden\u003e\n    \u003cp class=\"ckm-count\"\u003e2 of 3\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp class=\"ckm-q\"\u003eWhat do you know about the defendant?\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"ckm-opts\"\u003e\n      \u003cbutton type=\"button\" class=\"ckm-opt\" data-q=\"q2\" data-v=\"work\"\u003eWhere they work\u003c\/button\u003e\n      \u003cbutton type=\"button\" class=\"ckm-opt\" data-q=\"q2\" data-v=\"bank\"\u003eWhere they bank\u003c\/button\u003e\n      \u003cbutton type=\"button\" class=\"ckm-opt\" data-q=\"q2\" data-v=\"property\"\u003eThey own property\u003c\/button\u003e\n      \u003cbutton type=\"button\" class=\"ckm-opt\" data-q=\"q2\" data-v=\"notmuch\"\u003eNot much yet\u003c\/button\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckm-step\" data-step=\"3\" hidden\u003e\n    \u003cp class=\"ckm-count\"\u003e3 of 3\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp class=\"ckm-q\"\u003eHow have they responded since losing?\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"ckm-opts\"\u003e\n      \u003cbutton type=\"button\" class=\"ckm-opt\" data-q=\"q3\" data-v=\"negotiate\"\u003eThey want to negotiate\u003c\/button\u003e\n      \u003cbutton type=\"button\" class=\"ckm-opt\" data-q=\"q3\" data-v=\"stalling\"\u003eStalling or silent\u003c\/button\u003e\n      \u003cbutton type=\"button\" class=\"ckm-opt\" data-q=\"q3\" data-v=\"cantpay\"\u003eThey say they can't pay\u003c\/button\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckm-result\" hidden\u003e\n    \u003cp class=\"ckm-r-1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp class=\"ckm-r-2\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp class=\"ckm-r-3\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp class=\"ckm-r-cta\"\u003eCollections walks you through whichever path fits, with the forms, the timing, and the scripts. And if it doesn't make your next step clear, there's a 7-day full refund.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cbutton type=\"button\" class=\"ckm-restart\"\u003eStart over\u003c\/button\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat Collections makes sure of\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost California small claims winners never collect, not because they didn't earn it, but because nobody walked them through the recovery steps. These are the ones this kit checks with you:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"ckp-catch\"\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe 30-day window.\u003c\/strong\u003e The defendant gets 30 days to pay or appeal before collection orders issue. The kit tells you what you can file now and what has to wait, so nothing gets rejected for timing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExempt income, checked first.\u003c\/strong\u003e Social Security, SSI, disability, and unemployment can't be garnished. The kit shows you how to spot an exempt-only defendant before you spend court fees on a filing that can't reach them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe right path for what you know.\u003c\/strong\u003e Employer known means the WG-001. Bank known means the EJ-130 levy. Property means the EJ-001 lien. Nothing yet means the exam comes first, and the Start Here folder makes the call with you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe exam, walked in prepared.\u003c\/strong\u003e The debtor exam is the one hearing where the defendant answers questions about their finances under oath, and the kit hands you the question sequence (built on the SC-134) so you leave knowing where the money is.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe clean close.\u003c\/strong\u003e Once you're paid, the EJ-190 (Acknowledgment of Satisfaction) closes the judgment out properly, and it's the step the kit ends on.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's inside\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e12 California-specific documents covering the four recovery paths: wage garnishment (WG-001), bank levy (EJ-130), property lien (EJ-001), and post-filing settlement (SC-133), plus the debtor exam script and the \u003cem\u003eWhere the Money Hides\u003c\/em\u003e asset-discovery field guide. It works no matter where you filed; the walkthroughs assume nothing about how you got to the judgment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eSee all 12 documents\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe debtor exam script.\u003c\/strong\u003e A ready-to-use question sequence for the post-judgment examination, the hearing where you find out what the defendant has and where it's kept. Built on the small claims and limited civil forms (SC-134, EJ-125).\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhere the Money Hides, asset discovery field guide.\u003c\/strong\u003e A field guide to locating a defendant's bank, employer, and real property from your own laptop, packaged as a one-week protocol you work through in order.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWage garnishment walkthrough (WG-001, WG-002).\u003c\/strong\u003e The Application for Earnings Withholding Order, the Earnings Withholding Order itself, and the step-by-step of getting the sheriff to serve the defendant's employer so wages start flowing to you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBank levy guidance (EJ-130, EJ-152).\u003c\/strong\u003e The Writ of Execution, the supporting documents, and a clear walkthrough of finding the defendant's bank, filing the levy, and collecting from the account.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProperty lien template (EJ-001).\u003c\/strong\u003e The Abstract of Judgment you record at the county recorder's office so the defendant can't sell or refinance their real estate without paying you first.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePost-filing settlement scripts (SC-133).\u003c\/strong\u003e Most defendants finally want to talk once they've lost. These scripts give you the language for accepting a lump sum, a payment plan via Request to Make Payments, or a partial settlement, plus the script for the call where you say no.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase timeline log.\u003c\/strong\u003e A printable record of every step you've taken so you can prove diligence if the court asks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgment of satisfaction (EJ-190).\u003c\/strong\u003e The form you file once you've been paid in full so the judgment closes out cleanly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBonus scripts.\u003c\/strong\u003e Calm language for the conversations that don't go well: the stalling defendant, the one who suddenly says they can't pay, the one who disappears.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eWho Collections is for\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eYou won your California small claims case and the defendant isn't paying.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eYou filed somewhere else (with Core, on your own, or with another service) and now need the recovery side.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eYou're a small business owner with an unpaid judgment from a contractor, tenant, or customer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eYou're a landlord or tenant who won and needs to enforce.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eYou want California-specific forms, not generic recovery templates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eHow it works after checkout\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuy and download.\u003c\/strong\u003e Instant PDF delivery to your email and your customer account.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRead the Start Here folder.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pick the recovery path that fits the defendant: wages, bank, real property, or settlement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUse the walkthrough for that path.\u003c\/strong\u003e If you don't know where the defendant banks or works, run \u003cem\u003eWhere the Money Hides\u003c\/em\u003e first.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFill the form.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pay the small filing fee at the court. The sheriff or court does the rest, and you collect.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eLifetime access, no subscription, and free updates whenever the forms or fees change. Works on phone, laptop, or tablet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"It broke down every step for me. Saved me from making so many mistakes.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVerified Google Review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHaven't filed yet?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want the full pre-court through collection set in one purchase, see \u003ca href=\"\/products\/claimkit-complete\"\u003eComplete ($179)\u003c\/a\u003e. It includes everything in this add-on, the same recovery forms and the same two insider field guides, so there's no reason for a Complete buyer to add Collections separately. If you bought \u003ca href=\"\/products\/claimkit-core\"\u003eCore ($99)\u003c\/a\u003e and you've now won your case, Collections picks up exactly where Core ends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eWhat's included in the $49 Collections Add-On?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTwelve post-judgment documents covering the four California recovery paths after a small claims judgment, including two insider field guides. The core ten cover wage garnishment (WG-001 and WG-002), bank levy (EJ-130 and EJ-152), property lien (EJ-001), post-filing settlement (SC-133), the Acknowledgment of Satisfaction (EJ-190), a case timeline log, and bonus scripts for the calls that don't go smoothly. The two field guides are the Judgment Debtor Examination script (your questions for the post-judgment exam) and the Where the Money Hides asset discovery field guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eWhat are the two insider field guides?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFirst, the Judgment Debtor Examination script. The debtor exam is the one court hearing where the defendant has to answer your questions about their finances, under oath, and most people walk in without a plan. The guide gives you the questions to ask, in order, so you leave the hearing knowing where the money is. Second, the Where the Money Hides asset discovery field guide: a set of legal methods for finding the defendant's bank, employer, and real property without ever leaving your laptop, packaged as a one-week protocol you work through in order.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eHow is Collections different from the $179 Complete kit?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eComplete is a full pre-filing-through-collection kit for buyers who haven't filed yet (74 documents, $179). Collections is the post-judgment recovery slice, sold standalone, for people who already won their case. Everything in Collections, including the two insider field guides, is also in Complete, so there's no reason for a Complete buyer to add Collections. Pick Collections only if you already have a judgment in hand and just need the recovery side.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eI won my case somewhere else. Can I still use this?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. You don't need to have filed with ClaimKit Help to use Collections. As long as you have a California small claims judgment in your name, the WG-001, EJ-130, EJ-001, and the other forms apply the same way. The walkthroughs assume nothing about how you got to the judgment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eHow does ClaimKit compare to hiring a lawyer for wage garnishment?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eA California collections attorney typically charges $300 to $500 per hour, and a single WG-001 filing usually runs $400 to $800 in legal fees. The Collections kit is $49 and walks you through the same form, the same sheriff service step, and the same employer compliance follow-up that an attorney would handle. Where a lawyer adds value is in contested cases where the defendant is hiding assets through trusts or shell entities. For straightforward defendants-with-jobs cases (the majority of small claims judgments), the kit's WG-001 walkthrough is the same workflow at a fraction of the cost.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eWhat value do I get from ClaimKit compared to free legal resources online?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFree resources are scattered. The Judicial Council forms are free at courts.ca.gov. The California Civil Code is free at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. There are YouTube walkthroughs. The Collections kit's value is integration: the right forms in the right order, the timing rules built into the workflow, the scripts for moments when you have to talk to the defendant or their employer, and the two field guides (debtor exam questions and asset discovery) that don't exist freely online in structured form. The $49 buys you the integration and the field guides, not the raw forms (those stay free).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eWhat is the WG-001 form, and how does wage garnishment work in California?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWG-001 is the Application for Earnings Withholding Order. You fill it out, file it with the court, pay the small filing fee, and the sheriff serves the order on the defendant's employer. The employer then withholds up to 25 percent of the defendant's disposable earnings and sends that money to you until the judgment is paid. The kit walks you through WG-001 line by line, including what counts as disposable earnings and what to do if the defendant is self-employed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eWhat are the legal limits on wage garnishment in California?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCalifornia limits garnishment to 25 percent of the defendant's disposable earnings, or the amount that exceeds 40 times the state-minimum-wage floor per week (whichever is less). The state minimum wage adjusts annually, so the exempt threshold shifts each year. The defendant can also file WG-006 (Claim of Exemption) if their income falls below the published hardship thresholds. The Collections kit's WG-001 walkthrough includes the current-year math.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eAre there exemptions from wage garnishment that I should be aware of?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. Several income types are fully exempt from garnishment in California: Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans benefits, unemployment insurance, state disability insurance (SDI), workers' compensation, public assistance (CalWORKs, CalFresh), and child or spousal support received by the defendant. If the defendant's only income is one of these, wage garnishment won't reach them and bank levy is risky too (exempt funds keep their character once deposited if traceable). The Collections kit's WG-001 walkthrough covers how to spot exempt-only defendants before you spend court fees on a filing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eWhat can I do if I don't receive payment after the wage garnishment is filed?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWage garnishment doesn't pay instantly. The sheriff serves the employer, the employer has up to 10 business days to start withholding under CCP 706.022, and the first deposit usually lands 4 to 6 weeks after that depending on the defendant's pay frequency. If 60 days pass with no payment from a verified-employed defendant, the kit walks you through filing a Motion for Order to Show Cause against the employer for non-compliance. If the defendant has changed jobs, you'll need a fresh WG-001 against the new employer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eWhat steps should I take if the employer refuses to comply with the garnishment order?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCalifornia Code of Civil Procedure 706.154 makes employers personally liable for the full judgment amount if they ignore a properly served Earnings Withholding Order. First step is a written demand to the employer's payroll or HR contact, citing the served WG-002 by date. If that doesn't move them within 10 business days, you file an Order to Show Cause re Contempt with the court that issued the WG-001. The employer has to appear and explain. Most employers comply once that's filed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eHow does a bank levy work in California small claims?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou file an EJ-130 Writ of Execution at the court, pay the filing fee, and a registered process server or the sheriff serves it on the defendant's bank. Whatever's in the account on the day the levy lands, up to the judgment amount, gets frozen and sent to you. The hard part is usually knowing where the defendant banks. The kit's Where the Money Hides field guide covers legal ways to find that out, and the debtor exam script gets it straight from the defendant under oath.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eWhat is a property lien, and when does it make sense?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eA property lien is a recorded notice that attaches to any real estate the defendant owns. You file an EJ-001 Abstract of Judgment with the county recorder where the property sits. The defendant can't sell or refinance without paying off your judgment first. It's the slowest recovery path, and it works best when the defendant owns their home and you're patient.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eCan I garnish wages on a California judgment if the defendant moved out of state?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, with an extra step. California judgments are enforceable in other states under the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act (UEFJA). You register your California judgment in the state where the defendant lives or works, then use that state's wage garnishment process (not WG-001, which is California-only). Each state has its own registration form and a small filing fee. The judgment debtor exam in the Collections kit still works on a CA judgment to surface the defendant's out-of-state employer, so you know where to register.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eThe defendant says they can't pay. What do I do?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFirst, get it in writing. The kit includes a script for the conversation that asks for a payment plan in writing using form SC-133 (Request to Make Payments). If they refuse to put it in writing, that's a signal you'll need wage garnishment or bank levy. The bonus scripts walk you through the calm version of those conversations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eAre there court fees on top of the kit?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, but they go to the court, not ClaimKit. Wage garnishment filing is around $30. Bank levy filing is around $40. Recording a property lien runs $10 to $50 depending on the county. The judgment debtor exam filing is around $60. The FW-001 fee waiver is available if you qualify based on income.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eAre there payment plans for the Collections kit?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo installment plans on our end. The $49 is paid in full at checkout. Shop Pay and PayPal offer their own pay-in-installments options at checkout for orders that qualify, and ClaimKit doesn't add any fee either way.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eI have multiple unpaid judgments. Do I need to buy the kit more than once?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne Collections purchase covers every California small claims judgment in your name. The WG-001, EJ-130, EJ-001, and SC-133 templates can be used against any defendant on any judgment you're enforcing. Landlords with three or four unpaid judgments don't need three or four kits, just one. If you genuinely need multiple seats (you're handling judgments for other people or running a small enforcement service), email support@claimkithelp.com.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eHow long does collecting a judgment usually take in California?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt depends on the path. A wage garnishment that lands on a steady employer can start paying you within 30 to 60 days. A bank levy can pay out within 30 days once it hits the account. A property lien can sit for years before the defendant sells or refinances. California judgments are good for 10 years and can be renewed, so time is on your side.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eIs there a money-back guarantee?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. 7-day refund, no questions. Email support@claimkithelp.com.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eHow is the kit delivered?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInstant zip download to your email and your customer account. The zip is organized into Start Here, How To Collect, Insider Field Guides, and Help for the Hard Times folders. Works on phone, laptop, or tablet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"ckp-fold\"\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eIs ClaimKit Help legal advice?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ckp-fold-body\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. Collections is a DIY guide, not legal advice, and we're not a law firm. California small claims is one of the few areas of court where self-representation is the rule, not the exception. We package the steps so you can follow them.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003csmall\u003e\u003cem\u003eClaimKit Help provides educational templates and information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm, and using these documents does not create an attorney-client relationship.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/small\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript\u003e\n(function(){\n  var root = document.getElementById('ckm-collections');\n  if(!root) return;\n  var answers = {};\n  var started = false;\n  function track(name){\n    try{\n      if(typeof window.gtag === 'function'){ window.gtag('event', name, {tool: 'collections_mini_check'}); }\n      else if(window.dataLayer){ window.dataLayer.push({event: name, tool: 'collections_mini_check'}); }\n    }catch(e){}\n  }\n  var M1 = {\n    \"under30\": \"The defendant has 30 days to pay or appeal before collection orders issue, so use the window to find the money. The kit's asset-discovery guide is built for exactly this, and you can file the day the window closes.\",\n    \"months\": \"You're in prime collection territory, and the judgment has been earning 10 percent annual interest since the day it was entered. That interest gets added to what you collect.\",\n    \"longer\": \"Nothing has expired. A CA judgment is good for 10 years and renewable, with 10 percent annual interest accruing the whole time.\"\n  };\n  var M2 = {\n    \"work\": \"Knowing where they work is the strongest position. The WG-001 (Application for Earnings Withholding Order) puts up to 25 percent of their disposable pay on a path to you, and the kit walks it line by line.\",\n    \"bank\": \"Knowing the bank makes the levy your move. The EJ-130 (Writ of Execution) freezes what's in the account the day it lands, up to your judgment amount.\",\n    \"property\": \"The EJ-001 (Abstract of Judgment) records against their real estate, so they can't sell or refinance without paying you first. It's the slowest path and the hardest one to dodge.\",\n    \"notmuch\": \"Start with the debtor exam (the kit's question script, built on the SC-134) and the Where the Money Hides guide. One hearing and a week of legal lookups usually surface the employer or the bank.\"\n  };\n  var M3 = {\n    \"negotiate\": \"Losing changes minds. The kit's settlement scripts cover the lump sum, the payment plan (SC-133), and the call where you say no.\",\n    \"stalling\": \"Stalling is a strategy, and the answer is filing, not waiting. Pick the path that fits what you know and start it; the kit's scripts handle the conversations along the way.\",\n    \"cantpay\": \"Be sure to check for exempt income first (Social Security, SSI, disability, unemployment). If that's all they have, garnishment can't reach it, and the kit shows you how to spot that before you spend court fees.\"\n  };\n  function showStep(n){\n    var steps = root.querySelectorAll('.ckm-step');\n    for(var i=0;i\u003csteps.length;i++){ steps[i].hidden = (steps[i].getAttribute('data-step') != String(n)); }\n    root.querySelector('.ckm-result').hidden = true;\n  }\n  function showResult(){\n    var steps = root.querySelectorAll('.ckm-step');\n    for(var i=0;i\u003csteps.length;i++){ steps[i].hidden = true; }\n    var r = root.querySelector('.ckm-result');\n    r.querySelector('.ckm-r-1').textContent = M1[answers.q1] || '';\n    r.querySelector('.ckm-r-2').textContent = M2[answers.q2] || '';\n    r.querySelector('.ckm-r-3').textContent = M3[answers.q3] || '';\n    r.hidden = false;\n    track('mini_check_complete');\n  }\n  root.addEventListener('click', function(e){\n    var btn = e.target.closest ? e.target.closest('.ckm-opt') : null;\n    if(btn){\n      if(!started){ started = true; track('mini_check_start'); }\n      answers[btn.getAttribute('data-q')] = btn.getAttribute('data-v');\n      if(answers.q1 !== undefined \u0026\u0026 answers.q2 === undefined){ showStep(2); }\n      else if(answers.q2 !== undefined \u0026\u0026 answers.q3 === undefined){ showStep(3); }\n      else { showResult(); }\n      return;\n    }\n    if(e.target.closest \u0026\u0026 e.target.closest('.ckm-restart')){\n      answers = {};\n      showStep(1);\n    }\n  });\n})();\n\u003c\/script\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What's included in the $49 Collections Add-On?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Twelve post-judgment documents covering the four California recovery paths after a small claims judgment, including two insider field guides. The core ten cover wage garnishment (WG-001 and WG-002), bank levy (EJ-130 and EJ-152), property lien (EJ-001), post-filing settlement (SC-133), the Acknowledgment of Satisfaction (EJ-190), a case timeline log, and bonus scripts for the calls that don't go smoothly. The two field guides are the Judgment Debtor Examination script (your questions for the post-judgment exam) and the Where the Money Hides asset discovery field guide.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What are the two insider field guides?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"First, the Judgment Debtor Examination script. The debtor exam is the one court hearing where the defendant has to answer your questions about their finances, under oath, and most people walk in without a plan. The guide gives you the questions to ask, in order, so you leave the hearing knowing where the money is. Second, the Where the Money Hides asset discovery field guide: a set of legal methods for finding the defendant's bank, employer, and real property without ever leaving your laptop, packaged as a one-week protocol you work through in order.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How is Collections different from the $179 Complete kit?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Complete is a full pre-filing-through-collection kit for buyers who haven't filed yet (74 documents, $179). Collections is the post-judgment recovery slice, sold standalone, for people who already won their case. Everything in Collections, including the two insider field guides, is also in Complete, so there's no reason for a Complete buyer to add Collections. Pick Collections only if you already have a judgment in hand and just need the recovery side.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"I won my case somewhere else. Can I still use this?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. You don't need to have filed with ClaimKit Help to use Collections. As long as you have a California small claims judgment in your name, the WG-001, EJ-130, EJ-001, and the other forms apply the same way. The walkthroughs assume nothing about how you got to the judgment.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How does ClaimKit compare to hiring a lawyer for wage garnishment?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A California collections attorney typically charges $300 to $500 per hour, and a single WG-001 filing usually runs $400 to $800 in legal fees. The Collections kit is $49 and walks you through the same form, the same sheriff service step, and the same employer compliance follow-up that an attorney would handle. Where a lawyer adds value is in contested cases where the defendant is hiding assets through trusts or shell entities. For straightforward defendants-with-jobs cases (the majority of small claims judgments), the kit's WG-001 walkthrough is the same workflow at a fraction of the cost.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What value do I get from ClaimKit compared to free legal resources online?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Free resources are scattered. The Judicial Council forms are free at courts.ca.gov. The California Civil Code is free at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. There are YouTube walkthroughs. The Collections kit's value is integration: the right forms in the right order, the timing rules built into the workflow, the scripts for moments when you have to talk to the defendant or their employer, and the two field guides (debtor exam questions and asset discovery) that don't exist freely online in structured form. The $49 buys you the integration and the field guides, not the raw forms (those stay free).\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the WG-001 form, and how does wage garnishment work in California?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"WG-001 is the Application for Earnings Withholding Order. You fill it out, file it with the court, pay the small filing fee, and the sheriff serves the order on the defendant's employer. The employer then withholds up to 25 percent of the defendant's disposable earnings and sends that money to you until the judgment is paid. The kit walks you through WG-001 line by line, including what counts as disposable earnings and what to do if the defendant is self-employed.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What are the legal limits on wage garnishment in California?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"California limits garnishment to 25 percent of the defendant's disposable earnings, or the amount that exceeds 40 times the state-minimum-wage floor per week (whichever is less). The state minimum wage adjusts annually, so the exempt threshold shifts each year. The defendant can also file WG-006 (Claim of Exemption) if their income falls below the published hardship thresholds. The Collections kit's WG-001 walkthrough includes the current-year math.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Are there exemptions from wage garnishment that I should be aware of?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. Several income types are fully exempt from garnishment in California: Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans benefits, unemployment insurance, state disability insurance (SDI), workers' compensation, public assistance (CalWORKs, CalFresh), and child or spousal support received by the defendant. If the defendant's only income is one of these, wage garnishment won't reach them and bank levy is risky too (exempt funds keep their character once deposited if traceable). The Collections kit's WG-001 walkthrough covers how to spot exempt-only defendants before you spend court fees on a filing.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What can I do if I don't receive payment after the wage garnishment is filed?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Wage garnishment doesn't pay instantly. The sheriff serves the employer, the employer has up to 10 business days to start withholding under CCP 706.022, and the first deposit usually lands 4 to 6 weeks after that depending on the defendant's pay frequency. If 60 days pass with no payment from a verified-employed defendant, the kit walks you through filing a Motion for Order to Show Cause against the employer for non-compliance. If the defendant has changed jobs, you'll need a fresh WG-001 against the new employer.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What steps should I take if the employer refuses to comply with the garnishment order?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"California Code of Civil Procedure 706.154 makes employers personally liable for the full judgment amount if they ignore a properly served Earnings Withholding Order. First step is a written demand to the employer's payroll or HR contact, citing the served WG-002 by date. If that doesn't move them within 10 business days, you file an Order to Show Cause re Contempt with the court that issued the WG-001. The employer has to appear and explain. Most employers comply once that's filed.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How does a bank levy work in California small claims?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"You file an EJ-130 Writ of Execution at the court, pay the filing fee, and a registered process server or the sheriff serves it on the defendant's bank. Whatever's in the account on the day the levy lands, up to the judgment amount, gets frozen and sent to you. The hard part is usually knowing where the defendant banks. The kit's Where the Money Hides field guide covers legal ways to find that out, and the debtor exam script gets it straight from the defendant under oath.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is a property lien, and when does it make sense?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A property lien is a recorded notice that attaches to any real estate the defendant owns. You file an EJ-001 Abstract of Judgment with the county recorder where the property sits. The defendant can't sell or refinance without paying off your judgment first. It's the slowest recovery path, and it works best when the defendant owns their home and you're patient.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can I garnish wages on a California judgment if the defendant moved out of state?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, with an extra step. California judgments are enforceable in other states under the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act (UEFJA). You register your California judgment in the state where the defendant lives or works, then use that state's wage garnishment process (not WG-001, which is California-only). Each state has its own registration form and a small filing fee. The judgment debtor exam in the Collections kit still works on a CA judgment to surface the defendant's out-of-state employer, so you know where to register.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"The defendant says they can't pay. What do I do?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"First, get it in writing. The kit includes a script for the conversation that asks for a payment plan in writing using form SC-133 (Request to Make Payments). If they refuse to put it in writing, that's a signal you'll need wage garnishment or bank levy. The bonus scripts walk you through the calm version of those conversations.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Are there court fees on top of the kit?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, but they go to the court, not ClaimKit. Wage garnishment filing is around $30. Bank levy filing is around $40. Recording a property lien runs $10 to $50 depending on the county. The judgment debtor exam filing is around $60. The FW-001 fee waiver is available if you qualify based on income.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Are there payment plans for the Collections kit?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No installment plans on our end. The $49 is paid in full at checkout. Shop Pay and PayPal offer their own pay-in-installments options at checkout for orders that qualify, and ClaimKit doesn't add any fee either way.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"I have multiple unpaid judgments. Do I need to buy the kit more than once?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"One Collections purchase covers every California small claims judgment in your name. The WG-001, EJ-130, EJ-001, and SC-133 templates can be used against any defendant on any judgment you're enforcing. Landlords with three or four unpaid judgments don't need three or four kits, just one. If you genuinely need multiple seats (you're handling judgments for other people or running a small enforcement service), email support@claimkithelp.com.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How long does collecting a judgment usually take in California?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It depends on the path. A wage garnishment that lands on a steady employer can start paying you within 30 to 60 days. A bank levy can pay out within 30 days once it hits the account. A property lien can sit for years before the defendant sells or refinances. California judgments are good for 10 years and can be renewed, so time is on your side.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is there a money-back guarantee?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. 7-day refund, no questions. Email support@claimkithelp.com.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How is the kit delivered?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Instant zip download to your email and your customer account. The zip is organized into Start Here, How To Collect, Insider Field Guides, and Help for the Hard Times folders. Works on phone, laptop, or tablet.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is ClaimKit Help legal advice?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No. Collections is a DIY guide, not legal advice, and we're not a law firm. California small claims is one of the few areas of court where self-representation is the rule, not the exception. We package the steps so you can follow them.\"}}]}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"ClaimKit Help","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42429317742674,"sku":null,"price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0591\/6675\/2850\/files\/Collections_card_v3.png?v=1780194296","url":"https:\/\/0hsi0e-ki.myshopify.com\/products\/claimkit-collections","provider":"ClaimKit Help","version":"1.0","type":"link"}