ARTICLE 5. Enforcement of Claim Stated in Stop Payment Notice [8550. - 8560.]

Cal. Civil Code - CIV 5.

in effect

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 8550. Section 8550.

(a) A claimant shall commence an action to enforce payment of the claim stated in a stop payment notice at any time after 10 days from the date the claimant gives the stop payment notice. (b) A claimant shall commence an action to enforce payment of the claim stated in a stop payment notice not later than 90 days after expiration of the time within which a stop payment notice must be given. (c) An action under this section may not be brought to trial or judgment entered before expiration of the time provided in subdivision (b). (d) If a claimant does not commence an action to enforce payment of the claim stated in a stop payment notice within the time prescribed in subdivision (b), the notice ceases to be effective and the person withholding funds pursuant to the notice shall release them. (e) Within five days after commencement of an action to enforce payment of the claim stated in a stop payment notice, the claimant shall give notice of commencement of the action to the persons to whom the stop payment notice was given. The notice shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 8552. Section 8552.

If more than one claimant has given a stop payment notice: (a) Any number of claimants may join in the same enforcement action. (b) If claimants commence separate actions, the court first acquiring jurisdiction may order the actions consolidated. (c) On motion of the owner or construction lender the court shall require all claimants to be impleaded in one action, to the end that the rights of all parties may be adjudicated in the action.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 8554. Section 8554.

Notwithstanding Section 583.420 of the Code of Civil Procedure, if an action to enforce payment of the claim stated in a stop payment notice is not brought to trial within two years after commencement of the action, the court may in its discretion dismiss the action for want of prosecution.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 8556. Section 8556.

A stop payment notice ceases to be effective, and a person withholding funds pursuant to the notice shall release them, in either of the following circumstances: (a) An action to enforce payment of the claim stated in the stop payment notice is dismissed, unless expressly stated to be without prejudice. (b) Judgment in an action to enforce payment of the claim stated in the stop payment notice is against the claimant.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 8558. Section 8558.

(a) In an action to enforce payment of the claim stated in a bonded stop payment notice, the prevailing party is entitled to a reasonable attorney’s fee in addition to costs and damages. (b) The court, on notice and motion by a party, shall determine who is the prevailing party or that there is no prevailing party for the purpose of this section, regardless of whether the action proceeds to final judgment. The prevailing party is the party that recovers greater relief in the action, subject to the following limitations: (1) If the action is voluntarily dismissed or dismissed pursuant to a settlement, there is no prevailing party. (2) If the defendant tenders to the claimant the full amount to which the claimant is entitled, and deposits in court for the claimant the amount so tendered, and alleges those facts in the answer and the allegation is determined to be true, the defendant is deemed to be the prevailing party.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 8560. Section 8560.

If the claimant is the prevailing party in an action to enforce payment of the claim stated in a bonded stop payment notice, any amount awarded on the claim shall include interest at the legal rate calculated from the date the stop payment notice is given.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026