Mechanics lien with recorded extension of credit: suit no later than 1 year after completion (outer limit)
12 months after date of completion of the work of improvement, under Cal. Civ. Code 8460(b).
Rule text
(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply if the claimant and owner agree to extend credit, and notice of the fact and terms of the extension of credit is recorded (1) within 90 days after recordation of the claim of lien or (2) more than 90 days after recordation of the claim of lien but before a purchaser or encumbrancer for value and in good faith acquires rights in the property. In that event the claimant shall commence an action to enforce the lien within 90 days after the expiration of the credit, but in no case later than one year after completion of the work of improvement.
Calculate this deadline
Deadline
Monday, November 8, 2027
- Trigger (Date of completion of the work of improvement): Friday, November 6, 2026.
- Add 12 months: Saturday, November 6, 2027.
- That day is a Saturday, so the deadline moves to the next court day: Monday, November 8, 2027 (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b; Cal. Gov. Code 6800, 6707 (state agency filings); Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(a) (federal statutes and federal court filings)).
Rules applied
Cal. Civ. Code 8460(b)
(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply if the claimant and owner agree to extend credit, and notice of the fact and terms of the extension of credit is recorded (1) within 90 days after recordation of the claim of lien or (2) more than 90 days after recordation of the claim of lien but before a purchaser or encumbrancer for value and in good faith acquires rights in the property. In that event the claimant shall commence an action to enforce the lien within 90 days after the expiration of the credit, but in no case later than one year after completion of the work of improvement.Official source
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b; Cal. Gov. Code 6800, 6707 (state agency filings); Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(a) (federal statutes and federal court filings)
CCP 12: "The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded." CCP 12a(a): "If the last day for the performance of any act provided or required by law to be performed within a specified period of time is a holiday, then that period is hereby extended to and including the next day that is not a holiday. For purposes of this section, “holiday” means all day on Saturdays, all holidays specified in Section 135 and, to the extent provided in Section 12b, all days that by terms of Section 12b are required to be considered as holidays." Gov. Code 6707: "When the last day for filing any instrument or other document with a state agency falls upon a Saturday or holiday, such act may be performed upon the next business day with the same effect as if it had been performed upon the day appointed." FRCP 6(a): "The following rules apply in computing any time period specified in these rules, in any local rule or court order, or in any statute that does not specify a method of computing time. (1) ... (A) exclude the day of the event that triggers the period; (B) count every day, including intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays; and (C) include the last day of the period, but if the last day is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the period continues to run until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday."Official source
- Applies only with a recorded credit extension. The other limit, 90 days after expiration of the credit, is computed by entering the credit expiration date into ml_foreclosure_action_90_days style math manually; use the EARLIER of the two.
- If the clerk's office is closed or inaccessible on the last day (weather, emergency or local closure orders), the deadline may be extended. Check local orders.
This calculator applies the cited rules to the dates you enter. It is not legal advice. Court orders, local rules, and case-specific facts can change a deadline; verify before relying on it. Rule set pending attorney review.
Worked example
Date of completion of the work of improvement on Monday, March 15, 2027, personal service: due Wednesday, March 15, 2028.
- Trigger (Date of completion of the work of improvement): Monday, March 15, 2027.
- Add 12 months: Wednesday, March 15, 2028.
Notes
Applies only with a recorded credit extension. The other limit, 90 days after expiration of the credit, is computed by entering the credit expiration date into ml_foreclosure_action_90_days style math manually; use the EARLIER of the two.
Related deadlines
- Mechanics lien (private works): preliminary notice within 20 days after first furnishing work (20 days after)
- Mechanics lien: direct contractor records claim of lien within 90 days after completion (no notice of completion/cessation recorded) (90 days after)
- Mechanics lien: direct contractor records claim of lien within 60 days after owner records notice of completion or cessation (60 days after)
- Mechanics lien: subcontractor/supplier/laborer records claim of lien within 90 days after completion (no notice recorded) (90 days after)
- Mechanics lien: subcontractor/supplier/laborer records claim of lien within 30 days after owner records notice of completion or cessation (30 days after)
- Owner may record notice of completion on or within 15 days after completion (15 days after)
- Owner gives copy of recorded notice of completion/cessation to direct contractor and preliminary-notice claimants within 10 days (10 days after)
- Mechanics lien: action to enforce (foreclose) lien within 90 days after recording claim of lien (90 days after)
Rules current as of 2026-10-27. Confirm against the official source and any local rule or court order before relying on a date. Rules changelog.