Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 762.010. Section 762.010.
The plaintiff shall name as defendants in the action the persons having adverse claims to the title of the plaintiff against which a determination is sought.
ARTICLE 3. Defendants [762.010. - 762.090.]
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP 3.
in effectCal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 762.020. Section 762.020.
(a)
If the name of a person required to be named as a defendant is not known to the plaintiff, the plaintiff shall so state in the complaint and shall name as parties all persons unknown in the manner provided in Section 762.060.
(b)
If the claim or the share or quantity of the claim of a person required to be named as a defendant is unknown, uncertain, or contingent, the plaintiff shall so state in the complaint. If the lack of knowledge, uncertainty, or contingency is caused by a transfer to an unborn or unascertained beneficiary or class member, or by a transfer in the form of a contingent remainder, vested remainder subject to defeasance, executory interest, or similar disposition, the plaintiff shall also state in the
complaint, so far as is known to the plaintiff, the name, age, and legal disability (if any) of the person in being who would be entitled to the claim had the contingency upon which the claim depends occurred prior to the commencement of the action.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 762.030. Section 762.030.
(a)
If a person required to be named as a defendant is dead and the plaintiff knows of a personal representative, the plaintiff shall join the personal representative as a defendant.
(b)
If a person required to be named as a defendant is dead, or is believed by the plaintiff to be dead, and the plaintiff knows of no personal representative:
(1)
The plaintiff shall state these facts in an affidavit filed with the complaint.
(2)
Where it
is stated in the affidvit that such person is dead, the plaintiff may join as defendants “the testate and intestate successors of ____ (naming the deceased person), deceased, and all persons claiming by, through, or under such decedent,” naming them in that manner.
(3)
Where it is stated in the affidavit that such person is believed to be dead, the plaintiff may join the person as a defendant, and may also join “the testate and intestate successors of ____ (naming the person) believed to be deceased, and all persons claiming by, through, or under such person,” naming them in that manner.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 762.040. Section 762.040.
The court upon its own motion may, and upon motion of any party shall, make such orders as appear appropriate:
(a)
For joinder of such additional parties as are necessary or proper.
(b)
Requiring the plaintiff to procure a title report and designate a place where it shall be kept for inspection, use, and copying by the parties.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 762.050. Section 762.050.
Any person who has a claim to the property described in the complaint may appear in the proceeding. Whether or not the person is named as a defendant in the complaint, the person shall appear as a defendant.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 762.060. Section 762.060.
(a)
In addition to the persons required to be named as defendants in the action, the plaintiff may name as defendants “all persons unknown, claiming any legal or equitable right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the property described in the complaint adverse to plaintiff’s title, or any cloud upon plaintiff’s title thereto,” naming them in that manner.
(b)
In an action under this section, the plaintiff shall name as defendants the persons having adverse claims that are of record or known to the plaintiff or reasonably apparent from an inspection of the
property.
(c)
If the plaintiff admits the validity of any adverse claim, the complaint shall so state.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 762.070. Section 762.070.
A person named and served as an unknown defendant has the same rights as are provided by law in cases of all other defendants named and served, and the action shall proceed against unknown defendants in the same manner as against other defendants named and served, and with the same effect.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 762.080. Section 762.080.
The court upon its own motion may, and upon motion of any party shall, make such orders for appointment of guardians ad litem as appear necessary to protect the interest of any party.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 762.090. Section 762.090.
(a)
The state may be joined as a party to an action under this chapter.
(b)
This section does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026