§ 8554 Stop Payment Notice Dismissal

Civil Code·California

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Key Takeaways

•If someone sues to get paid for a stop payment notice, they have to go to trial within 2 years.
•If they don’t go to trial in time, the court can cancel the case.
•The court decides whether to cancel it or not.

Example

A contractor stops payment on a project because they weren’t paid, then sues the owner.

If the contractor takes too long (more than 2 years) to go to trial, the court can say ‘too late’ and throw out the case.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 8554 Stop Payment Notice Dismissal

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. (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

stop payment notice dismiss the action for want of prosecution

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Civil Code. Section 8554.

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Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

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