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SC-136-INFOMandatory

Information on Debtor's Examinations Regarding Consumer Debt

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

This information sheet explains the process for asking the court to require a debtor to appear and give financial information, or for the debtor to provide that information in writing, when the debt comes from personal, family, or household needs. It guides both the person who won the case (judgment creditor) and the person who owes the money (judgment debtor) on what forms to use and how to follow the rules.

The court describes it as: Explains how the judgment creditor (the person or business that won the case and is owed money) can ask for a debtor’s examination in a case where the judgment concerns consumer debt, and explains how the judgment debtor (the person or business that owes the money) can respond to that request by providing written information instead of going to court.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Motions

Stage: Motions

This information is used when a court judgment, awarded on or after January 1, 2025, involves consumer debt. It helps the winner of a case ask the court to get financial details from the loser, or it tells the loser how to respond to that request.

Either party may file.

Official instructions

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

Common questions

What kind of debt does this apply to?
It applies to consumer debt, which means money owed for things like personal, family, or household needs. It does not cover things like rent or unpaid wages to an employee.
Who should use this information sheet?
The judgment creditor (the person who won the case) uses it to ask for an examination, and the judgment debtor (the person who owes money) uses it to learn how to respond to that request.

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

  • EJ-141

    Application and Order to Appear for Examination—Consumer Debt

    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.

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  • EJ-143

    Notice of Financial Statement—Consumer Debt

    This form is used when a court judgment involves consumer debt. It allows the person who owes the money (the judgment debtor) to give their financial information in writing to the court instead of having to appear in court for an examination.

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  • EJ-144

    Financial Statement—Consumer Debt

    This form is used by a person who owes money (the judgment debtor) to provide written details about their finances when a court orders them to appear for an examination regarding consumer debt. The person filling it out must give this form to the person who is owed money (the judgment creditor), not file it with the court.

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  • EJ-146

    Notice of Motion and Motion to Require Examination—Consumer Debt

    This form is used to ask the court to order a person (the judgment debtor) to appear in court for an examination, even if that person already submitted their financial information in writing. It is used when the person's written financial statement is not enough for the creditor to enforce the judgment.

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  • EJ-147

    Application and Order to Require Examination After Submission of Financial Statement—Consumer Debt

    This form is used to ask the court to order a person who owes money (the judgment debtor) to appear in court to give information to help enforce a judgment for consumer debt. It is used after the court has already heard a motion and decided that an examination is necessary.

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    Exemptions from The Enforcement of Judgments

    This form provides a list of types of property and money that are protected from being taken when someone tries to collect a judgment. It shows which state or federal laws describe these protected items.

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    This form provides a list of the current dollar amounts that are exempt from being taken when a judgment is enforced. It shows different exemption amounts for various types of property, such as vehicles, household goods, and bank accounts.

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