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HomeCivil CodeDiv. 4Pt. 6Ch. 5Art. 5§ 8550 Stop Payment Notice Deadlines

§ 8550 Stop Payment Notice Deadlines

Civil Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 8550 Stop Payment Notice Deadlines

Key Takeaways

  • •You have to start a lawsuit to get paid after sending a stop payment notice, but you must wait at least 10 days after sending it.
  • •You must start the lawsuit within 90 days after the deadline to send the stop payment notice, or the notice won’t work anymore.
  • •You can’t finish the lawsuit or get a judgment before those 90 days are up.
  • •If you don’t start the lawsuit on time, the person holding the money can release it and you might not get paid.
  • •Once you start the lawsuit, you have 5 days to tell the same people you sent the stop payment notice that you’re suing.

Example

You worked on fixing someone’s house and they didn’t pay you. You sent them a stop payment notice to hold the money they owe you.

You have to wait at least 10 days after sending the notice to start a lawsuit. But you also can’t wait too long—you have to sue within 90 days after the deadline to send the notice. If you don’t sue in time, the person can release the money, and you might not get paid. Once you sue, you have 5 days to tell them you’re taking them to court.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 8550 Stop Payment Notice Deadlines

(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. (Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 697, Sec. 20. (SB 189) Effective January 1, 2011. Operative July 1, 2012, by Sec. 105 of Ch. 697 and by Section 8052.)

Last verified: January 21, 2026

Key Terms

claimantstop payment noticeaction to enforce paymentcommence an action

Related Statutes

  • § 8556 Stop Payment Notice Termination
  • § 8502 Stop Payment Notice Requirements
  • § 8532 Stop Payment Notice Bond
  • § 8538 Claimant Notice Of Election
  • § 8552 Multiple Claimant Payment Disputes

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Civil Code. Section 8550.
View Official Source