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SC-224Optional

Response to Declaration of Default in Payment of Judgment

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective January 1, 2024

This form is used in a small claims case when a judge has allowed payments on a judgment, but the person owed money (the judgment creditor) has filed a document saying payments were missed. This form lets the person who is supposed to pay respond to those claims.

The court describes it as: You can fill out and file this form in a Small Claims case if the judge agreed you can make payments, the other side says you didn't (they filed a Declaration of Default in Payment of Judgment (form SC-223)), and you want to tell the judge your side.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Respond

Stage: Respond

It is used if the court allowed payments on a judgment, and the person owed money files a Declaration of Default in Payment of Judgment (form SC-223), and the person who was supposed to pay wants to tell the judge their side.

Either party may file.

Official instructions

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

Common questions

What is this form for?
This form is a response to a Declaration of Default in Payment of Judgment (form SC-223). It lets you tell the judge your side if you disagree with the claims made in the Declaration.
How long do I have to file this?
If you disagree with the Declaration, you may file this Response within 10 days after form SC-223 was mailed to you.
Do I need to file this form?
You only need to file this if you disagree with the Declaration or with the court ordering that the amounts are now due in full.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect January 1, 2024.

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