[Read this glossary entry on atharkhan.com](https://atharkhan.com/glossary/third-party-claim/) In enforcement proceedings, a **third-party claim** is an assertion by someone other than the judgment debtor that the person has a qualifying interest in property reached by a levy. The claim may concern ownership, a right to possession, or a security interest or lien. Making the claim does not itself establish that the claimed interest is valid. ## In California Family Law Collection of a money judgment can affect property that someone other than a spouse claims to own. [[Cal. Code of Civ. Proc. § 720.110|Code of Civil Procedure section 720.110]] identifies qualifying ownership or possession claims after specified levies, where the claimed interest is superior to the creditor's lien. [[Cal. Code of Civ. Proc. § 720.210|Section 720.210]] separately addresses qualifying security-interest and lien claims. The procedure requires more than saying the property belongs to someone else. For an ownership or possession claim under the relevant chapter, [[Cal. Code of Civ. Proc. § 720.130|section 720.130]] requires a sworn claim with the specified description, supporting facts, estimated value and attached writings on which the claim relies. Timing matters. [[Cal. Code of Civ. Proc. § 720.120|Section 720.120]] requires filing with the levying officer after levy but before the specified sale, delivery or payment to the creditor. A claim also does not guarantee immediate release: the applicable procedures can involve undertakings and a court determination; see [[Cal. Code of Civ. Proc. § 720.160|section 720.160]]. **Example:** A levy reaches equipment at a debtor's business, but another person claims to own that equipment. The claimant must establish the qualifying interest through the applicable procedure. Ownership is not resolved merely by possession at the business or by the claimant's assertion. This enforcement procedure is distinct from a general [[Third-Party Action|third-party action]].