How do I respond to a garnishment?
If there is a legal judgment for you to pay another person money damages, and you have not paid as ordered, the court may order your employer or someone who owes you money or has control over your assets to pay your debt. This is called a garnishment proceeding. The person who starts the garnishment proceeding is called the plaintiff. The person who owes the debt is called the defendant. An employer, bank or someone else who has control over the principal defendant's assets is called the garnishee.

If you have already paid the debt, you should show the court which issued the order your proof of payment. If you have not paid the debt, you can make other arrangements for payment, such as installment payments. Read the forms carefully, and if you have other questions, contact the court or an attorney for more information. The garnishment should expire when the debt is paid, or after 90 days. Once expired, a new garnishment may be filed if the debt has not been paid in full.

You should keep careful records of all payments made.

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1. How do I collect a garnishment?
2. What is a garnishment proceeding like?
3. What is the most common type of garnishment?
4. How do I respond to a garnishment?