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EJ-141Mandatory

Application and Order to Appear for Examination—Consumer Debt

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective January 1, 2025

This form is used to ask the court to order someone who owes money (the judgment debtor) to appear in court. The purpose of the appearance is for the court to question the person about their finances to help collect a judgment related to consumer debt.

The court describes it as: In a case where the judgment concerns consumer debt, ask the court to order the judgment debtor to appear at court to answer your questions about their finances to help you learn how you might collect your judgment.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Start a case

Stage: Start a case

This form is used in a civil case when the judgment involves consumer debt and the judgment was awarded on or after January 1, 2025.

Usually filed by the person starting the case.

Official instructions

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

Common questions

Who should fill out this form?
The original judgment creditor or assignee of record fills out the application part of this form to ask the court for the order. The court fills out the order part.
What kind of debt must this form be used for?
This form is specifically for judgments that concern consumer debt, which means the money is for personal, family, or household needs. It does not cover rental debt or wages owed to an employee.
What must happen before the order can be enforced?
The judgment creditor must have a copy of the order personally served on the judgment debtor by a sheriff, marshal, or registered process server at least 30 days before the hearing date.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect January 1, 2025.

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