How to Find Your California Court Case (And What to Do Next)

You got served. Or maybe you just suspect a collector filed something against you. Either way, you need to find out if there's a court case with your name on it in California. Here's how to do that, fast.

Which California Court Has Your Case?

California doesn't have a single statewide case search tool. Instead, each of the 58 counties runs its own system. But before you start clicking around, you need to know which court handles debt cases.

If a creditor sued you for unpaid debt, your case lives in the Superior Court of whichever county you live in. That's California's trial-level court. Debt lawsuits don't start at the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court. Those higher courts only see cases on appeal after a trial court already ruled.

Within Superior Court, your case gets sorted by dollar amount:

• Small claims: $10,000 or less
• Limited civil: $10,001 to $25,000
• Unlimited civil: Over $25,000

Most credit card and medical debt lawsuits fall into limited civil. If you owe $30,000, it's unlimited. If a collector is chasing $8,000, you're in small claims. The distinction matters because the rules and timelines differ.

How to Search for Your Case Online

Start with your county's Superior Court website. Most California counties now offer online case lookups. You won't need a lawyer or a login. These databases are public.

Go to Google and type "[Your County] Superior Court case search." For example: "Los Angeles Superior Court case search" or "San Diego Superior Court case search."

Once you're on the court's website, look for a link that says "Case Search," "Case Information," or "Online Services." You'll usually find it in the main navigation.

What Information You'll Need

To pull up your case, you'll search by one of these:

• Case number: This is the fastest method if you have the paperwork. The case number is printed at the top of any court document you received. It looks something like "23CV12345."
• Your name: Enter your first and last name exactly as it appears on legal documents. Some systems let you search by partial names.
• Party name: If you know the plaintiff (the company suing you), you can search by their name too.

If you're searching by name and nothing comes up, try variations. Use your middle initial. Drop it. Try nicknames if that's what creditors might have on file.

What You'll See in the Results

Once you find your case, the online portal typically shows:

• Case number and filing date: When the lawsuit was filed
• Parties: Plaintiff (who's suing you) and defendant (you)
• Case type: Should say something like "Collections" or "Contract"
• Status: Open, closed, dismissed, default judgment
• Next hearing date: Critical. This is your deadline.
• Docket entries: A running log of everything filed in the case

Some counties let you view and download actual documents like the complaint or the summons. Others just show a summary. If documents aren't available online, you'll need to request copies from the clerk.

What If Your County Doesn't Have Online Search?

A handful of smaller California counties still don't offer online lookups. If your county's website doesn't have a case search tool, you have two options:

Call the court clerk. Find the phone number on the county Superior Court website. Ask to check if there's a case filed against you. Have your full legal name and date of birth ready. They'll search their system and tell you if anything's on file.

Visit the courthouse in person. Go to the civil division of your county's Superior Court. Tell the clerk at the counter you want to look up a case. They'll either search for you or point you to a public access computer terminal.

Calling is faster, but if you need copies of documents and they're not online, an in-person visit might save time.

What to Do Once You Find Your Case

Finding the case is step one. Now you need to act. California gives you 30 days from the date you were served to file a response. Miss that deadline and the creditor can request a default judgment. That means they win automatically, and you lose your chance to fight.

Check These Details Immediately

Look at the docket entries or case summary and confirm:

• When you were served: Your 30-day clock starts from that date, not the filing date
• Whether a response has been filed: If you see "Answer Filed" or "Response Filed" in the docket, someone already responded (maybe you, maybe a lawyer you hired)
• Whether a default judgment was entered: If the status says "Default" or "Default Judgment," you missed the deadline. You'll need to file a motion to set it aside.
• Upcoming hearing dates: Mark these on your calendar. Missing a hearing can result in a judgment against you.

File Your Answer or Response

If you're still within the 30-day window and no response has been filed, you need to submit an Answer. This is a legal document where you respond to each allegation in the complaint. You can admit, deny, or say you lack sufficient information to admit or deny.

You can use SoloSuit's tools to generate an Answer to a debt lawsuit. The platform walks you through each claim, helps you assert defenses, and formats everything correctly for California courts. You file it with the court and serve a copy on the plaintiff's attorney.

If you're past the 30 days, you'll need to file a motion to set aside the default. This requires showing the court you have a valid excuse for missing the deadline (like you were never properly served) and a meritorious defense (a real reason the creditor shouldn't win).

What If You Don't Find Your Case?

If you search and nothing comes up, that's actually good news. It means one of these is true:

• You haven't been sued yet. Collectors often threaten lawsuits to scare you into paying. Most threats never turn into actual filings.
• The case was filed in a different county. Creditors usually sue in the county where you live, but not always. Try searching neighboring counties if you've moved recently.
• The case is under a slightly different name. Try variations of your name, including middle initials or former names.

If you were physically handed court papers (or someone left them at your door), a case definitely exists. Call the court directly if you can't find it online. There might be a data entry error or a delay in updating the online system.

Understanding the Docket: What Each Entry Means

The docket is your case timeline. It lists every document filed, every motion, every hearing. Here's what common entries mean:

• Complaint Filed: The creditor's initial lawsuit document
• Summons Issued: The court generated your official notice to respond
• Proof of Service Filed: Someone filed paperwork proving you were served
• Answer Filed: You (or your lawyer) responded to the complaint
• Motion for Summary Judgment: The creditor is asking the judge to rule in their favor without a trial
• Request for Default: The creditor is asking for a default judgment because you didn't respond
• Judgment Entered: The court issued a final ruling

If you see "Request for Default" or "Default Judgment Entered," you're in trouble. That's a final ruling against you. The creditor can now garnish your wages or bank account. You need to file a motion to vacate the judgment within a reasonable time, usually 30 to 60 days.

Should You Consider Bankruptcy Instead?

If you found your case and the debt is just one of many, bankruptcy might be a better option than fighting each lawsuit individually. Chapter 7 bankruptcy can wipe out credit card debt, medical bills, and personal loans in about four months. Chapter 13 lets you repay what you can afford over three to five years.

Filing bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay, which immediately stops all collection lawsuits, garnishments, and calls. If a default judgment was already entered, bankruptcy can still discharge the underlying debt. The judgment becomes worthless.

California's bankruptcy exemptions protect a decent amount of property. You can keep your car (up to $6,600 in equity), household goods, and in many cases your home if you don't have much equity. If you're judgment-proof (no wages to garnish, no assets to seize), you might not need bankruptcy. But if you have income or property at risk, it's worth exploring.

What Happens If You Ignore the Case?

Let's be clear: ignoring a lawsuit does not make it disappear. If you don't respond, the creditor will request a default judgment. California courts grant these almost automatically. You won't get a trial. You won't get to present your side.

Once the creditor has a judgment, they can:

• Garnish your wages: Up to 25% of your disposable income or the amount by which your weekly earnings exceed 40 times the state minimum wage, whichever is less
• Levy your bank account: They can freeze and withdraw funds directly
• Place a lien on your property: If you own a home, they can record a judgment lien that must be paid when you sell

A judgment also damages your credit for up to seven years. It shows up on background checks. It makes it harder to rent an apartment, get a job, or open new accounts.

If you're truly broke and have no income or assets, collectors might not pursue enforcement right away. But judgments in California are good for 10 years and can be renewed. They can wait.

Tips for Searching Multiple Counties

If you've lived in more than one California county recently, or if you're unsure where a creditor might have filed, search multiple counties. Here are the busiest ones:

• Los Angeles County: Use the LA Superior Court's case search at lacourt.org
• San Diego County: Search at sdcourt.ca.gov
• Orange County: Go to occourts.org
• Riverside County: Search at riverside.courts.ca.gov
• San Bernardino County: Use sb-court.org
• Santa Clara County: Search at scscourt.org
• Alameda County: Go to alameda.courts.ca.gov
• Sacramento County: Use saccourt.ca.gov

Each county's system looks a little different, but they all work the same way: search by name, case number, or party.

The Bottom Line

You need to find your California court case as soon as you suspect you've been sued. Most counties let you search online for free. Once you find it, check the deadlines immediately and file a response within 30 days. If you're already in default or facing multiple lawsuits, talk to a bankruptcy attorney or use tools like SoloSuit to respond properly. Ignoring the case guarantees you lose.