California Law: Plain-English Guides

Key California facts

Security deposit deadline

No later than 21 calendar days after the tenant vacates. The landlord must return the remaining deposit with an itemized statement. Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)(1)

Eviction notice for unpaid rent

3-day notice to pay rent or quit, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and judicial holidays. The notice must state the amount due, the name, phone number, and address of the person to pay, and the payment method. Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161(2)

Small claims limit

$12,500 for a natural person (including a sole proprietor); $6,250 for a business or public entity. No one may file more than two small claims cases for over $2,500 each in a calendar year. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 116.110 et seq.; Judicial Council form SC-100-INFO (Rev. Jan. 1, 2024)

Small estate affidavit

Personal property (such as bank accounts and stocks) can be collected with a small estate affidavit if the gross value of the person's California real and personal property is $208,850 or less (deaths on or after April… Cal. Prob. Code §§ 13050, 13100, 890; Judicial Council form DE-300 (rev. April 28, 2025)

Cost of a protective order

Filing for a DVRO is free. The sheriff or marshal serves the papers for free. Asking to renew the order is also free. Judicial Council DV-500-INFO; self-help pages

Minimum wage

$16.90 per hour for all employers, effective January 1, 2026. Higher minimum wages apply to fast food workers and certain health care workers, and many cities and counties have their own higher local minimum wage; California Labor Commissioner, Minimum Wage FAQ

Final paycheck if fired

Immediately, at the time of termination, including all accrued vacation. Special timelines apply to some seasonal, motion picture and oil drilling layoffs. Cal. Labor Code §§ 201, 203, 227.3; California Labor Commissioner, Paydays FAQ

Time limit to sue on a debt

4 years for an action on a contract, obligation or liability founded on a written instrument. Once the period has run, a creditor or collector may not sue or start arbitration to collect the debt, and the period can be… Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337(a), (d)