Once a trustee's sale has taken place in California, there may be surplus proceeds remaining after settling the foreclosing creditor's debt. At this point, the trustee is responsible for notifying all interested parties. The CIV-170 form is needed if the distribution of these surplus proceeds becomes complicated due to unresolved claims. This form becomes necessary when: - The trustee is facing unresolved claims over surplus sale proceeds. - Conflicting claims on the proceeds arise and cannot be prioritized. - Claimants must be notified of the impending deposit into the court registry. Before arriving at this stage, the foreclosure process itself would have triggered this need. Key preceding forms include the Notice of Default and Notice of Trustee's Sale. Completing these forms and conducting the sale, then resolving surplus proceeds distribution means the CIV-170 becomes necessary. This form is crucial for trustees seeking court intervention to manage conflicting claims efficiently.