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CIV-120 Guidance: Notice of Dismissal (California)

The CIV-120 Notice of Dismissal form is used when a party wants to officially notify the court and other parties that a case has been dismissed and to provide proof of service of this dismissal notice. Jump to guide on filling it out.

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The information provided on this website/page is for general informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship between the author and any readers or users of this content.

Reviewed By

Jenna Zebrowski, JD, MBA
Attorney
Jenna Zebrowski is a JD/MBA graduate from Texas Tech University School of Law. After working in Mexico City for 3 years, she returned to the US and spent over a decade working in-house for large and small companies, including franchises, in a real estate leasing capacity, as well as in the mortgage and title industries. In private practice since 2019, Jenna is passionate about advocacy and protection for her clients’ rights, working collaboratively towards problem prevention, and solution, when necessary.

Tips for filling out form CIV-120

When completing form CIV-120, pay special attention to these less obvious sections:

Item 1

Address Precision

Ensure your residence or business address is precise and up-to-date. Mistakes or outdated information here can delay the processing of service.
Item 2b

Mail Practice

This section is crucial as it describes the ordinary business practice for mailing. Familiarize yourself with this process to ensure you can truthfully attest to how the mailing has been handled. It involves knowing exactly how and when mail is collected and dispatched in your business.
Item 3

Personal Service Details

When opting for personal delivery, ensure you have exact details about the person being served. An incomplete name or incorrect address can lead to improper service, which may invalidate the dismissal notice service.
Item 4

Electronic Service

Ensure electronic service is permissible. This method of service should only be used if there's a prior court order or agreement between the parties. Double-check electronic addresses and maintain proof of service for legal validity.
Item 5

Multiple Parties

If there are multiple parties to serve, ensure you attach a proof of service for each additional party. Missed parties can cause procedural delays and complications.

What to do after filing form CIV-120

1
Confirm acknowledgement: After filing the CIV-120 Notice of Dismissal and Proof of Service form, verify that the court has acknowledged the filing. Check with the court clerk or access the court’s online case information system to ensure that the dismissal has been entered into the record.
2
Inform involved parties: Notify all parties involved in the case about the dismissal. Make sure you have served all necessary parties with a copy of the Notice of Dismissal and retain proof of service as evidence that they have been informed.
3
Check for objections or responses: Be aware that the opposing party might file any objection to the dismissal. Monitor communications from the court or opposing counsel to know if any such action is initiated.
4
Review case closure implications: Understand that this dismissal effectively closes the case. If the case is dismissed without prejudice, assess whether you have the option to refile the case in the future, if necessary.
5
Collect and archive documentation: Assemble all related documents, including the filed Notice of Dismissal, proof of service, and any correspondence from the court, and file them permanently as part of your case records for future reference.
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