Form PLD-050 at a glance
What it is: Form PLD-050, GENERAL DENIAL, is a Judicial Council of California form on which the defendant generally denies each and every allegation of plaintiff's complaint.
Who signs: The signature is that of the defendant or attorney.
If you want to file a general denial, you MUST use this form if the amount asked for in the complaint or the value of the property involved is $1,000 or less. (checked October 31, 2026)
A filled-in Form PLD-050 example: a defendant without an attorney files a general denial
How to fill out Form PLD-050, box by box
Attorney or party without attorney
Under the attorney or party without attorney lines, enter the state bar number, name, firm name, street address, city, state, zip code, telephone no., fax no., email address and attorney for (name).
Court, plaintiff, defendant and case number
For the superior court of California, enter the county, then the street address, mailing address, city and zip code and branch name.
Enter the plaintiff or petitioner and the defendant or respondent.
Enter the CASE NUMBER.
Defendant name
Enter the defendant's name after 1. DEFENDANT (name): which generally denies each and every allegation of plaintiff's complaint.
Separate affirmative defenses
Under 2., enter the facts as separate affirmative defenses to plaintiff's complaint, and attach additional pages if necessary.
Date and signature
Enter the Date, then the name (TYPE OR PRINT NAME) and the signature (SIGNATURE OF DEFENDANT OR ATTORNEY).
Common questions about Form PLD-050
Where do I file it?
If you have a claim for damages or other relief against the plaintiff, the law may require you to state your claim in a special pleading called a cross-complaint or you may lose your right to bring the claim. (See Code of Civil Procedure sections 426.10-426.40.) The original of this General Denial must be filed with the clerk of this court with proof that a copy was served on each plaintiff's attorney and on each plaintiff not represented by an attorney. There are two main ways to serve this General Denial: by personal delivery or by mail. It may be served by anyone at least 18 years of age EXCEPT you or any other party to this legal action. Be sure that whoever serves the General Denial fills out and signs a proof of service. You may use the applicable Judicial Council form (such as form POS-020, POS-030, or POS-040) for the proof of service.
When is this form not the right one?
You MAY use this form for a general denial if the complaint is not verified; or the complaint is verified and the case is a limited civil case (the amount in controversy is $35,000 or less), BUT NOT if the complaint involves a claim for more than $1,000 that has been assigned to a third party for collection. (checked October 31, 2026)
Sources
[1] Form PLD-050 (Rev. January 1, 2024), General Denial, Judicial Council of California (the Official source link on this page).
