Instafill.ai
7 days free
AI form filling · 42 fields · 2 pages · done in seconds

Yes! You can use AI to fill out Form EJ-165, Memorandum of Garnishee

Don't type 42 fields by hand. Tell our AI about yourself, or upload a document you already have, and it fills every field in seconds. You check it, then download, print or sign.

7 days free, then $19.99/month · Cancel anytime
AI fills it, no typingEncrypted, never used to train AICancel in two clicks
Form EJ-165, Memorandum of Garnishee, page 1
Basic · 45/100Form Complexity Index

The AI does the filling. You just check it.

No typing into boxes, nothing to install.

Tell the AI about youAnswer a few questions in plain words, or upload a document you already have. That is all the typing there is.
AI fills every field in secondsIt puts each answer in the right box on every page, checkboxes included.
Check it and downloadReview every field, change anything, then download, print or sign the PDF.

What this form asks for

The AI fills all of it, from your answers or your documents.

Form EJ-165, Memorandum of Garnishee, is a crucial legal document used in California for the enforcement of judgments. When a creditor attempts to collect a debt, they can serve a writ on a third party (the garnishee) who might be holding assets belonging to the debtor; this form is the garnishee's official response, informing the levying officer about the debtor's property in their possession or explaining why it cannot be delivered. Today, this form can be filled out quickly and accurately using AI-powered services like Instafill.ai, which can also convert non-fillable PDF versions into interactive fillable forms.
Fillable fields42
Pages2
Sections17
Questions that depend on earlier answers6
Form Complexity IndexBasic, 45/100

The AI checks your answers before you download

12 checks built for this form, so a wrong date or a missing answer is caught before anyone else sees it.

Case Number Consistency Check

This validation ensures that the 'Case Number' entered in the main section matches the 'Case Number' entered in the 'Case Information' header. Mismatched case numbers can lead to the document being misfiled or rejected, causing significant delays in legal proceedings. If the numbers do not match, the user will be prompted to correct the discrepancy before submission.

Conditional Requirement for Property/Obligation Description

This check verifies that if the 'No Property Held' box is left unchecked, at least one of the subsequent description fields (e.g., 'Property Description and Reason for Non-Delivery', 'Unpaid Obligation Description') is filled out. This is crucial for the garnishee to comply with their legal duty to explain what property or obligations they hold for the judgment debtor. Failure to provide this information when required would render the form incomplete and legally insufficient.

Contradictory Information for 'No Property Held'

This validation ensures that if the 'No Property Held' box is checked, all fields related to describing property or obligations are left empty. Submitting a form that simultaneously claims no property is held while also describing property is contradictory and will lead to rejection. This check prevents logical inconsistencies and ensures the declaration is clear and unambiguous.

Declaration Date Validity

This check validates that the 'Declaration Date' is a real, correctly formatted date and is not set in the future. Legal documents must be accurately dated to be considered valid, as the date establishes when the declaration was made. An invalid or future date would call the document's authenticity into question and likely result in its rejection by the court or levying officer.

Attached Pages Count Logic

This validation enforces the logic between the 'Total number of pages attached' checkbox and the corresponding count field. If the checkbox is selected, the 'Total Pages Attached' field must contain a positive integer (e.g., '1' or greater). Conversely, if the box is not checked, the number field should be empty or zero, preventing confusion about attachments.

State Bar Number Validation

This check verifies that if the 'Attorney For' field is filled, the 'State Bar Number' field is also completed and follows the expected numerical format. The State Bar number is a unique identifier required for attorneys practicing before the court, and its absence or incorrect format can prevent proper identification of legal counsel. If an attorney is listed, this field is mandatory for the form to be processed correctly.

And 6 more checks
  • Attorney Email Address Format
  • Attorney Telephone Number Format
  • Court Information Completeness
  • Required Party Identification
  • Garnishee Information Completeness
  • Levying Officer File Number Consistency

Let AI fill out your EJ-165

No typing. Every field filled in seconds, checked, ready to sign.

7 days free, then $19.99/month · Cancel anytime

How to Fill Out EJ-165 Online for Free in 2026

What the AI walks you through.

  1. Navigate to Instafill.ai and upload or select the Form EJ-165, Memorandum of Garnishee.
  2. Provide the court and case information, including the court name, case number, and levying officer details.
  3. Enter the full information for the attorney or party filing the form, along with the names of the plaintiff and defendant.
  4. Clearly identify the garnishee (the person or entity filling out the form) and the judgment debtor.
  5. Complete the main declaration section, indicating whether you hold property for the debtor. If so, describe the property and explain why it is not being delivered to the levying officer.
  6. Detail any obligations owed to the debtor or any known third-party claims to the property.
  7. Review all entered information for accuracy, then date and provide the declarant's name before saving or printing the completed form for submission.

Common Mistakes in Completing EJ-165

The ones the AI is built to catch.

Interchanging Case and Levying Officer File Numbers
Filers often confuse the court-issued 'Case Number' with the 'Levying Officer File Number' provided by the sheriff or marshal. These are distinct identifiers from different entities, and swapping them will cause the document to be rejected or misfiled. To avoid this, carefully check the original court documents for the case number and the levying officer's correspondence for their specific file number, ensuring each is entered in its designated field.
Using Incomplete or Incorrect Party Names
A frequent error is using abbreviations, nicknames, or incorrect spellings for the Plaintiff, Defendant, or Judgment Debtor. Legal documents require full, accurate legal names as they appear on the official court judgment to be enforceable. Using an incorrect name can render the memorandum invalid and create significant legal ambiguity, potentially requiring the form to be re-filed.
Making Contradictory Property Declarations
A critical mistake is checking the 'No Property Held' box while also filling out sections that describe property or obligations. This creates a logical contradiction that invalidates the form and requires clarification, delaying the legal process. If the garnishee holds no property or obligations, only that box should be checked; all subsequent descriptive sections must be left blank.
Providing Vague Property or Obligation Descriptions
In the free-text sections, filers often provide insufficient detail, using phrases like 'some money' or 'personal belongings'. The form requires a specific description of the property, the amount and terms of any obligation, and a clear reason for non-delivery. Vague answers can be deemed non-compliant, leading to further court orders to compel a more complete response from the garnishee.
Failing to Disclose Known Third-Party Claims
The garnishee is required to list any other person or entity known to have a claim on the judgment debtor's property (e.g., a co-owner of a bank account). Omitting this information, including the third party's name and address, is a serious error that can expose the garnishee to legal liability. It is crucial to be thorough and disclose all known competing interests to avoid being held responsible for funds delivered incorrectly.
Submitting an Unsigned or Undated Declaration
The 'Garnishee Declaration' section, including the date and the declarant's typed name, functions as a legal signature under penalty of perjury. Forgetting to complete these fields is equivalent to submitting an unsigned document, rendering the entire memorandum legally void. This is a final-check item that must be completed for the form to have any legal effect.
Incorrectly Identifying the Court Branch
California Superior Courts often have numerous branches within a single county. A common mistake is to list the main county courthouse instead of the specific branch name and address where the case is being heard. This error misroutes the document, causing significant processing delays or even loss of the filing. Always verify the correct branch information from the original case filings.
Mismatching Attorney and Represented Party Information
In the 'Attorney For (Name)' field, filers sometimes mistakenly enter the attorney's own name or the law firm's name. This field must contain the full name of the client (the plaintiff or defendant) that the attorney is representing. This error creates confusion about who is being represented and can be avoided by carefully reading the field label and entering the client's name as it appears in the case caption.
Entering Inconsistent Information Across the Form
The form requests the 'Case Number' and 'Levying Officer File Number' in multiple locations (e.g., at the top and in the footer). Due to manual entry or copy-paste errors, people sometimes enter conflicting information in these fields. This inconsistency immediately flags the form for rejection, as it's unclear which number is correct. Using a tool like Instafill.ai can prevent this by ensuring data is entered consistently across all relevant fields.
Failing to Specify the Number of Attached Pages
When additional information is required, filers often attach extra pages but forget to check the 'Total number of pages attached' box or fail to enter the correct number in the 'Total Pages Attached' field. This omission can lead to the attached pages being overlooked or separated from the main form, resulting in an incomplete filing. It is essential to indicate both that pages are attached and exactly how many there are. If the form is a non-fillable PDF, a tool like Instafill.ai can convert it to a fillable version to make this process easier.

Frequently Asked Questions About EJ-165

 

Is it really free for 7 days?
Yes. You pay $0 today. Cancel before Nov 20 and you are never charged. Keep it, and it is $19.99 a month for 5 fills of your EJ-165.
Can I fill other forms too?
This plan is for your EJ-165: your own AI agent fills it as often as 5 times a month. To fill other forms and upload your own, choose a Professional plan from your account.
How do I cancel?
From your account, in two clicks, any time. No email, no call.
How does the AI fill out EJ-165?
You answer a few questions in plain words, or upload a document you already have. The AI reads what you give it and puts each answer into the right field of EJ-165, on every page, in seconds. It checks the answers against the form's own rules, and you review and change anything before you download, print or sign.
What happens to my information?
It is encrypted in transit and at rest, and it is never used to train AI.
How complex is EJ-165 to fill out?
EJ-165 has a Form Complexity Index of 45 out of 100, in the basic tier: 42 fillable fields across 2 pages. Instafill.ai's AI fills it in under a minute, with every field there for you to review before you download.
What is the purpose of this Garnishee's Memorandum form?
This form is used by a third party, known as a garnishee, to officially respond to a legal levy. It informs the court and levying officer about any property or money you hold that belongs to a judgment debtor.
Who is considered a 'garnishee' and needs to fill out this form?
A garnishee is a person or entity, such as a bank or employer, that holds assets or owes money to a judgment debtor. If you have been served with a writ of garnishment or execution, you are the garnishee and must complete this form.
What should I do if I don't have any property or money belonging to the judgment debtor?
If you do not hold any property or owe any obligations to the judgment debtor, you must check the 'No Property Held' box. You still need to complete the case information, sign the declaration, and submit the form to the levying officer.
Where do I find the Levying Officer File Number and Case Number?
This information should be printed on the legal documents you received, such as the Writ of Execution or Notice of Levy. The levying officer is the sheriff or marshal who served you the papers.
How do I explain why I am not delivering property to the levying officer?
Use the section 'Property Description and Reason for Non-Delivery' to describe the property and provide a clear, factual reason for not turning it over. This could be due to a pre-existing lien, ownership dispute, or other legal justification.
What is the difference between a 'levied but not due' obligation and a 'non-levied' obligation?
A 'levied but not due' obligation is a debt you owe the debtor that has been legally seized but is not yet payable, like a future installment payment. A 'non-levied' obligation is any other debt you owe the debtor that was not covered by the specific levy you received.
What should I do if I know someone else has a claim to the debtor's property I'm holding?
You must disclose this in the 'Description of Third-Party Claims' section. Provide a description of the claim and include the name and address of the other person or entity, if known.
Where do I send this form after I complete it?
The completed and signed form must be mailed or delivered to the levying officer whose name and address are listed at the top of the form. It is also good practice to send a copy to the judgment debtor.
Can I use AI to help me fill out this form?
Yes, services like Instafill.ai use AI to help you accurately auto-fill form fields from your case documents, which saves time and helps prevent errors.
How can I fill out this form online if I only have a paper copy?
You can use a service like Instafill.ai to fill the form online. Simply upload a scan or photo of the form, and its AI will make it an interactive, fillable document you can complete on your device.
The PDF of this form I downloaded is not fillable. What can I do?
If you have a non-fillable or 'flat' PDF, you can upload it to a platform like Instafill.ai. It will automatically convert the PDF into an interactive form that you can easily fill out, save, and print.
What do I do if I need more space than the form provides?
If you need more space, use separate sheets of paper to provide the additional information. Check the box for 'Total number of pages attached' and write the number of extra pages you are including.
Who signs the 'Garnishee Declaration' section?
The declaration must be signed by the garnishee or an authorized representative of the garnishee entity (e.g., a payroll manager for an employer or an officer for a bank). By signing, you are declaring under penalty of perjury that the information provided is true and correct.
Encrypted in transit and at restNever used to train AIDelete your forms any time

Get your EJ-165 filled out by AI

$0 today. Cancel before Nov 20 and you pay nothing.

7 days free, then $19.99/month · Cancel anytime