Governor Newsom has issued an executive order that CARES Act stimulus payments and any other payments in response to COVID-19 are exempt from attachment, levy, execution, or garnishment without a claim. This includes financial institution offsets and liens for including fees charged to or debts arising from the account in which the funds are held. Only exceptions are for child support, spousal support or criminal restitution payable to victims. Any money collected prior to the date of the order must be return without any further action. (Executive Order N-57-20, April 23, 2020.)