Rule 3.101 - Garnishment After Judgment(A) Definitions. In this rule,(1) "plaintiff" refers to any judgment creditor,(2) "defendant" refers to any judgment debtor,(3) "garnishee" refers to the garnishee defendant,(4) "periodic payments" includes but is not limited to, wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, and other income paid to the defendant during the period of the writ; land contract payments; rent; and other periodic debt or contract payments. Interest payments and other payments listed in MCL 600.4012(14)(a)-(d) are not periodic payments.(B) Postjudgment Garnishments. (1) Periodic garnishments are garnishments of periodic payments, as provided in this rule. (a) Unless otherwise ordered by the court, a writ of periodic garnishment served on a garnishee who is obligated to make periodic payments to the defendant is effective until the first to occur of the following events:(i) the amount withheld pursuant to the writ equals the amount of the unpaid judgment, interest, and costs stated in the verified statement in support of the writ; however, if the plaintiff has sent a statement to the garnishee in accordance with MCL 600.4012(5)(a), the balance on which may include additional interest and costs, the periodic garnishment is effective until the balance on the most recent statement is withheld or(ii) the plaintiff files and serves on the defendant and the garnishee a notice that the amount withheld exceeds the remaining unpaid judgment, interest, and costs, or that the judgment has otherwise been satisfied.(b) The plaintiff may not obtain the issuance of a second writ of garnishment on a garnishee who is obligated to make periodic payments to the defendant while a prior writ served on that garnishee remains in effect relating to the same judgment.(c) If a writ of periodic garnishment is served on a garnishee who is obligated to make periodic payments to the defendant while another order that has priority under MCL 600.4012(2) is in effect, or if a writ or order with higher priority is served on the garnishee while another writ is in effect, the garnishee is not obligated to withhold payments pursuant to the lower priority writ until the higher priority writ ceases to be effective under subrule (B)(1)(a). However, in the case of garnishment of earnings, the garnishee shall withhold pursuant to the lower priority writ to the extent that the amount being withheld pursuant to the higher priority order is less than the maximum that could be withheld by law pursuant to the lower priority writ (see, e.g., 15 USC 1673). Upon the expiration of the higher priority writ, the lower priority one becomes effective until it ceases to be effective under subrule (B)(1)(a). The garnishee shall notify the plaintiff of receipt of any higher priority writ or order and provide the information required by subrule (H)(2)(c).(2) Nonperiodic garnishments are garnishments of property or obligations other than periodic payments.(C) Forms. The State Court Administrative Office shall publish approved forms for use in garnishment proceedings. The verified request and writ forms and the garnishment release form approved by the State Court Administrative Office must be used. Where e-Filing is implemented, when a request and writ form is filed with a court, the instructions and blank proof of service must not be filed. The disclosure filed in garnishment proceedings must be substantially in the form approved by the State Court Administrative Office.(D) Request for and Issuance of Writ. The clerk of the court that entered the judgment shall review the request. The clerk shall issue a writ of garnishment if the writ appears to be correct, complies with these rules and the Michigan statutes, and if the plaintiff, or someone on the plaintiff's behalf, makes and files a statement verified in the manner provided in MCR 1.109(D)(3) stating: (1) that a judgment has been entered against the defendant and remains unsatisfied;(2) the amount of the judgment; the total amount of the postjudgment interest accrued to date; the total amount of the postjudgment costs accrued to date, which may include the costs associated with filing the current writ of garnishment; the total amount of the postjudgment payments made to date, and the amount of the unsatisfied judgment now due (including interest and costs), which may include the costs associated with filing the current writ of garnishment;(3) that the person signing the verified statement knows or has good reason to believe that (a) a named person has control of property belonging to the defendant,(b) a named person is indebted to the defendant, or(c) a named person is obligated to make periodic payments to the defendant.(4) whether the garnishee is to make all payments directly to the plaintiff or the plaintiff's attorney or to send the funds to the court.(E) Writ of Garnishment.(1) The writ of garnishment and the verified request for issuance of the writ must be included on the same form. The writ must include information that will permit the garnishee to identify the defendant, such as the defendant's address, social security number, employee identification number, federal tax identification number, employer number, or account number, if known.(2) Upon issuance of the writ, it shall be served upon the garnishee as provided in subrule (F)(1). The writ shall include the date on which it was issued and the last day by which it must be served to be valid, which is 182 days after it was issued.(3) The writ shall direct the garnishee to: (a) serve a copy of the writ on the defendant as provided in subrule (F)(2);(b) within 14 days after the service of the writ, file with the court clerk a verified disclosure indicating the garnishee's liability (as specified in subrule [G][1]) to the defendant and mail or deliver a copy to the plaintiff and the defendant;(c) deliver no tangible or intangible property to the defendant, unless allowed by statute or court rule;(d) pay no obligation to the defendant, unless allowed by statute or court rule; and(e) in accordance with subrule (J), either make all payments directly to the plaintiff or the plaintiff's attorney or send the funds to the court, as specified by the plaintiff in the request under subrule (D)(4).(4) The writ shall direct the defendant to refrain from disposing of (a) any negotiable instrument representing a debt of the garnishee (except the earnings of the defendant), or(b) any negotiable instrument of title representing property in which the defendant claims an interest held in the possession or control of the garnishee.(5) The writ shall inform the defendant that unless the defendant files objections within 14 days after the service of the writ on the defendant or as otherwise provided under MCL 600.4012, (a) without further notice the property or debt held under the garnishment may be applied to the satisfaction of the plaintiff's judgment, and(b) periodic payments due to the defendant may be withheld and paid according to subrule (3)(e) until the judgment is satisfied.(6) The writ shall direct the plaintiff to serve the garnishee as provided in subrule (F)(1), and to file a proof of service.(F) Service of Writ.(1) The plaintiff shall serve the writ of garnishment, a copy of the writ for the defendant, the disclosure form, and any applicable fees, on the garnishee within 182 days after the date the writ was issued in the manner provided for the service of a summons and complaint in MCR 2.105, except that service upon the state treasurer may be made in the manner provided under subrule (3).(2) The garnishee shall within 7 days after being served with the writ deliver a copy of the writ to the defendant or mail a copy to the defendant at the defendant's last known address by first class mail.(3) Unless service is subject to electronic filing under MCR 1.109(G), service upon the state treasurer or any designated employee may be completed electronically in a manner provided under guidelines established by the state treasurer. Guidelines established under this subsection shall be published on the department of treasury's website and shall identify, at a minimum, each acceptable method of electronic service, the requirements necessary to complete service, and the address or location for each acceptable method of service. For purposes of this subsection:(i) Electronic service authorized under the guidelines shall include magnetic media, e-mail, and any other method permitted at the discretion of the state treasurer.(ii) Service in the manner provided under this subsection shall be treated as completed as of the date and time submitted by the plaintiff, except that any submission made on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday shall be deemed to be served on the next business day.(G) Liability of Garnishee. (1) Subject to the provisions of the garnishment statute and any setoff permitted by law or these rules, the garnishee is liable for(a) all tangible or intangible property belonging to the defendant in the garnishee's possession or control when the writ is served on the garnishee, unless the property is represented by a negotiable document of title held by a bona fide purchaser for value other than the defendant;(b) all negotiable documents of title and all goods represented by negotiable documents of title belonging to the defendant if the documents of title are in the garnishee's possession when the writ is served on the garnishee;(c) all corporate share certificates belonging to the defendant in the garnishee's possession or control when the writ is served on the garnishee;(d) all debts, whether or not due, owing by the garnishee to the defendant when the writ is served on the garnishee, except for debts evidenced by negotiable instruments or representing the earnings of the defendant;(e) all debts owing by the garnishee evidenced by negotiable instruments held or owned by the defendant when the writ of garnishment is served on the defendant, as long as the instruments are brought before the court before their negotiation to a bona fide purchaser for value;(f) the portion of the defendant's earnings that are not protected from garnishment by law (see, e.g., 15 USC 1673) as provided in subrule (B);(g) all judgments in favor of the defendant against the garnishee in force when the writ is served on the garnishee;(h) all tangible or intangible property of the defendant that, when the writ is served on the garnishee, the garnishee holds by conveyance, transfer, or title that is void as to creditors of the defendant, whether or not the defendant could maintain an action against the garnishee to recover the property; and(i) the value of all tangible or intangible property of the defendant that, before the writ is served on the garnishee, the garnishee received or held by conveyance, transfer, or title that was void as to creditors of the defendant, but that the garnishee no longer held at the time the writ was served, whether or not the defendant could maintain an action against the garnishee for the value of the property.(2) The garnishee is liable for no more than the amount of the unpaid judgment, interest, and costs as stated in the verified statement requesting the writ of garnishment unless a statement is sent to the garnishee in accordance with MCL 600.4012(5)(a), in which case the garnishee is liable for the amount of the remaining judgment balance as provided in the most recent statement. Property or debts exceeding that amount may be delivered or paid to the defendant notwithstanding the garnishment.(H) Disclosure. The garnishee shall file with the court and deliver to the plaintiff and defendant, a verified disclosure within 14 days after being served with the writ.(1) Nonperiodic Garnishments.(a) If indebted to the defendant, the garnishee shall file a disclosure revealing the garnishee's liability to the defendant as specified in subrule (G)(1) and claiming any setoff that the garnishee would have against the defendant, except for claims for unliquidated damages for wrongs or injuries.(b) If not indebted to the defendant, the garnishee shall file a disclosure so indicating.(c)If the garnishee is indebted to the defendant, but claims that withholding is exempt under MCR 3.101(I)(6), the garnishee shall indicate on the disclosure the specific exemption. If the garnishee is indebted, but claims that withholding is exempt for some reason other than those set forth in MCR 3.101(I)(6), the garnishee shall indicate on the disclosure the basis for its claim of exemption and cite the legal authority for the exemption.(2) Periodic Garnishments. (a) If not obligated to make periodic payments to the defendant, the disclosure shall so indicate, and the garnishment shall be considered to have expired.(b) If obligated to make periodic payments to the defendant, the disclosure shall indicate the nature and frequency of the garnishee's obligation. The information must be disclosed even if money is not owing at the time of the service of the writ.(c) If a writ or order with a higher priority is in effect, in the disclosure the garnishee shall specify the court that issued the writ or order, the file number of the case in which it was issued, the date it was issued, and the date it was served.(I) Withholding. This subrule applies only if the garnishee is indebted to or obligated to make periodic payments to the defendant.(1) Except as otherwise provided in this subrule, the writ shall be effective as to obligations owed and property held by the garnishee as of the time the writ is served on the garnishee.(2) In the case of periodic earnings, withholding shall commence according to the following provisions:(a) For garnishees with weekly, biweekly, or semimonthly pay periods, withholding shall commence with the first full pay period after the writ was served.(b) For garnishees with monthly pay periods, if the writ is served on the garnishee within the first 14 days of the pay period, withholding shall commence on the date the writ is served. If the writ is served on the garnishee on or after the 15th day of the pay period, withholding shall commence the first full pay period after the writ was served.(3) In the case of periodic earnings, withholding shall cease when the periodic garnishment becomes no longer effective under subrule (B)(1).(4) At the time that a periodic payment is withheld, the garnishee shall provide the following information to the plaintiff and defendant:(a) the name of the parties;(c) the date and amount withheld;(d) the balance due on the writ. The information shall also be provided to the court if funds are sent to the court.
(5) If funds have not been withheld because a higher priority writ or order was in effect, and the higher priority writ ceases to be effective before the lower priority writ ceases to be effective, the garnishee shall begin withholding pursuant to the lower priority writ as of the date that the higher priority writ ceases to be effective.(6) A bank or other financial institution, as garnishee, shall not withhold exempt funds of the debtor from an account into which only exempt funds are directly deposited and where such funds are clearly identifiable upon deposit as exempt Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income benefits, Railroad Retirement benefits, Black Lung benefits, or Veterans Assistance benefits.(J) Payment. (1) After 28 days from the date of the service of the writ on the garnishee, the garnishee shall transmit all withheld funds to the plaintiff, plaintiff's attorney, or the court as directed by the court pursuant to subrule (E)(3)(e) unless notified that objections have been filed.(2) For periodic garnishments, all future payments shall be paid as they become due as directed by the court pursuant to subrule (E)(3)(e) until the garnishment ceases to be effective under subrule (B)(1).(3) Upon receipt of proceeds from the writ, the court shall forward such proceeds to the plaintiff.(4) Payment to the plaintiff may not exceed the amount of the unpaid judgment, interest, and costs stated in the verified statement requesting the writ of garnishment; however, if the plaintiff has sent a statement to the garnishee in accordance with MCL 600.4012(5)(a), the balance on which may include additional interest and costs, the garnishee shall pay to the plaintiff the amount provided in the most recent statement.(5) In the case of earnings, the garnishee shall maintain a record of all payment calculations and shall make such information available for review by the plaintiff, the defendant, or the court, upon request.(6) For periodic garnishments, within 14 days after the writ ceases to be effective under subrule (B)(1) or after the garnishee is no longer obligated to make periodic payments, the garnishee shall file with the court and mail or deliver to the plaintiff and the defendant, a final statement of the total amount paid on the writ. If the garnishee is the defendant's employer, the statement is to be filed within 14 days after the writ cease to be effective, regardless of changes in employment status during the time that the writ was in effect. The statement shall include the following information:(a) the names of the parties and the court in which the case is pending;(c) the date of the statement;(d) the total amount withheld.(7) If the disclosure states that the garnishee holds property other than money belonging to the defendant, the plaintiff must proceed by motion (with notice to the defendant and the garnishee) to seek an appropriate order regarding application of the property to satisfaction of the judgment. If there are no pending objections to the garnishment, and the plaintiff has not filed such a motion within 56 days after the filing of the disclosure, the garnishment is dissolved and the garnishee may release the property to the defendant.(K) Objections. (1) Objections shall be filed with the court within 14 days of the date of service of the writ on the defendant or within 14 days of the date of the most recent statement sent to the defendant pursuant to MCL 600.4012(5)(a). Objections may be filed after the time provided in this subrule but do not suspend payment pursuant to subrule (J) unless ordered by the court. Objections may only be based on defects in or the invalidity of the garnishment proceeding itself or the balance provided on the statement sent pursuant to MCL 600.4012(5)(a), and may not be used to challenge the validity of the judgment previously entered.(2) Objections shall be based on one or more of the following:(a) the funds or property are exempt from garnishment by law;(b) garnishment is precluded by the pendency of bankruptcy proceedings;(c) garnishment is barred by an installment payment order;(d) garnishment is precluded because the maximum amount permitted by law is being withheld pursuant to a higher priority garnishment or order;(e) the judgment has been paid;(f) the garnishment was not properly issued or is otherwise invalid;(g) the balance on the statement sent pursuant to MCL 600.4012(5)(a) is incorrect.(3) Within 7 days of the filing of objections, notice of the date of hearing on the objections shall be sent to the plaintiff, the defendant, and the garnishee. The hearing date shall be within 21 days of the date the objections are filed. In district court, notice shall be sent by the court. In circuit and probate court, notice shall be sent by the objecting party.(4) The court shall notify the plaintiff, the defendant, and the garnishee of the court's decision.(L) Steps After Disclosure; Third Parties; Interpleader; Discovery. (1) Within 14 days after service of the disclosure, the plaintiff may serve the garnishee with written interrogatories or notice the deposition of the garnishee. The answers to the interrogatories or the deposition testimony becomes part of the disclosure.(2) If the garnishee's disclosure declares that a named person other than the defendant and the plaintiff claims all or part of the disclosed indebtedness or property, the court may order that the claimant be added as a defendant in the garnishment action under MCR 2.207. The garnishee may proceed under MCR 3.603 as in interpleader actions, and other claimants may move to intervene under MCR 2.209.(3) The discovery rules apply to garnishment proceedings.(4) The filing of a disclosure, the filing of answers to interrogatories, or the personal appearance by or on behalf of the garnishee at a deposition does not waive the garnishee's right to question the court's jurisdiction, the validity of the proceeding, or the plaintiff's right to judgment.(M) Determination of Garnishee's Liability. (1) If there is a dispute regarding the garnishee's liability or if another person claims an interest in the garnishee's property or obligation, the issue shall be tried in the same manner as other civil actions.(2) The verified statement acts as the plaintiff's complaint against the garnishee, and the disclosure serves as the answer. The facts stated in the disclosure must be accepted as true unless the plaintiff has served interrogatories or noticed a deposition within the time allowed by subrule (L)(1) or another party has filed a pleading or motion denying the accuracy of the disclosure. Except as the facts stated in the verified statement are admitted by the disclosure, they are denied. Admissions have the effect of admissions in responsive pleadings. The defendant and other claimants added under subrule (L)(2) may plead their claims and defenses as in other civil actions. The garnishee's liability to the plaintiff shall be tried on the issues thus framed.(3) Even if the amount of the garnishee's liability is disputed, the plaintiff may move for judgment against the garnishee to the extent of the admissions in the disclosure. The general motion practice rules govern notice (including notice to the garnishee and the defendant) and hearing on the motion.(4) The issues between the plaintiff and the garnishee will be tried by the court unless a party files a demand for a jury trial within 7 days after the filing of the disclosure, answers to interrogatories, or deposition transcript, whichever is filed last. The defendant or a third party waives any right to a jury trial unless a demand for a jury is filed with the pleading stating the claim.(5) On the trial of the garnishee's liability, the plaintiff may offer the record of the garnishment proceeding and other evidence. The garnishee may offer evidence not controverting the disclosure, or in the discretion of the court, may show error or mistakes in the disclosure.(6) If the court determines that the garnishee is indebted to the defendant, but the time for payment has not arrived, a judgment may not be entered until after the time of maturity stated in the verdict or finding.(N) Orders for Installment Payments. (1) An order for installment payments under MCL 600.6201et seq. suspends the effectiveness of a writ of garnishment of periodic payments for work and labor performed by the defendant from the time the order is served on the garnishee. An order for installment payments does not suspend the effectiveness of a writ of garnishment of nonperiodic payments or of an income tax refund or credit.(2) If an order terminating the installment payment order is entered and served on the garnishee, the writ again becomes effective and retains its priority and remains in force as if the installment payment order had never been entered.(O) Judgment and Execution. (1) Judgment may be entered against the garnishee for the payment of money or the delivery of specific property as the facts warrant. A money judgment against the garnishee may not be entered in an amount greater than the amount of the unpaid judgment, interest, and costs as stated in the verified statement requesting the writ of garnishment. Judgment for specific property may be enforced only to the extent necessary to satisfy the judgment against the defendant.(2) The judgment against the garnishee discharges the garnishee from all demands by the defendant for the money paid or property delivered in satisfaction of the judgment. If the garnishee is sued by the defendant for anything done under the provisions of these garnishment rules, the garnishee may introduce as evidence the judgment and the satisfaction.(3) If the garnishee is chargeable for specific property that the garnishee holds for or is bound to deliver to the defendant, judgment may be entered and execution issued against the interest of the defendant in the property for no more than is necessary to satisfy the judgment against the defendant. The garnishee must deliver the property to the officer serving the execution, who shall sell, apply, and account as in other executions.(4) If the garnishee is found to be under contract for the delivery of specific property to the defendant, judgment may be entered and execution issued against the interest of the defendant in the property for no more than is necessary to satisfy the judgment against the defendant. The garnishee must deliver the property to the officer serving the execution according to the terms of the contract. The officer shall sell, apply, and account as in ordinary execution.(5) If the garnishee is chargeable for specific property and refuses to expose it so that execution may be levied on it, the court may order the garnishee to show cause why general execution should not issue against the garnishee. Unless sufficient cause is shown to the contrary, the court may order that an execution be issued against the garnishee in an amount not to exceed twice the value of the specifically chargeable property.(6) The court may issue execution against the defendant for the full amount due the plaintiff on the judgment against the defendant. Execution against the garnishee may not be ordered by separate writ, but must always be ordered by endorsement on or by incorporation within the writ of execution against the defendant. The court may order additional execution to satisfy the plaintiff's judgment as justice requires.(7) Satisfaction of all or part of the judgment against the garnishee constitutes satisfaction of a judgment to the same extent against the defendant.(P) Appeals. A judgment or order in a garnishment proceeding may be set aside or appealed in the same manner and with the same effect as judgments or orders in other civil actions.(Q) Receivership. (1) If on disclosure or trial of a garnishee's liability, it appears that when the writ was served the garnishee possessed,(a) a written promise for the payment of money or the delivery of property belonging to the defendant, or(b) personal property belonging to the defendant, the court may order the garnishee to deliver it to a person appointed as receiver.(2) The receiver must (a) collect the written promise for payment of money or for the delivery of property and apply the proceeds on any judgment in favor of the plaintiff against the garnishee and pay any surplus to the garnishee, and(b) dispose of the property in an amount greater than any encumbrance on it can be obtained, and after paying the amount of the encumbrance, apply the balance to the plaintiff's judgment against the garnishee and pay any surplus to the garnishee.(3) If the garnishee refuses to comply with the delivery order, the garnishee is liable for the amount of the written promise for the payment of money, the value of the promise for the delivery of property, or the value of the defendant's interest in the encumbered personal property. The facts of the refusal and the valuation must be included in the receiver's report to the court.(4) The receiver shall report all actions pertaining to the promise or property to the court. The report must include a description and valuation of any property, with the valuation to be ascertained by appraisal on oath or in a manner the court may direct.(R) Costs and Fees. (1) Costs and fees are as provided by law or these rules.(2) Within 28 days after receipt of the disclosure filed pursuant to subrule (H) by a garnishee of a periodic garnishment disclosing that it does not employ the defendant and is not otherwise liable for periodic payments, or from a garnishee of a nonperiodic garnishment disclosing that it does not hold property subject to garnishment and the defendant is not indebted to the garnishee, the plaintiff shall deduct any costs associated with that garnishment that may have been added to the judgment balance pursuant to MCR 2.625(K), unless the court otherwise directs.(S) Failure to Disclose or to Do Other Acts; Default; Contempt. (1) For garnishments filed under MCR 3.101(B)(2) (nonperiodic):(a) If the garnishee fails to disclose or do a required act within the time limit imposed, a default may be taken as in other civil actions. A default judgment against a garnishee may not exceed the amount of the garnishee's liability as provided in subrule (G)(2).(b) If the garnishee fails to comply with the court order, the garnishee may be adjudged in contempt of court.(2) For garnishments filed under MCR 3.101(B)(1) (periodic): MCL 600.4012 (6)-(10) governs default, default judgments, and motions to set aside default judgments for periodic garnishments.
(3) The court may impose costs on a garnishee whose default or contempt results in expense to other parties. Costs imposed shall include reasonable attorney fees and shall not be less than $100.(4) This rule shall not apply to nonperiodic garnishments filed for an income tax refund or credit.(T) Judicial Discretion. On motion the court may by order extend the time for: (1) the garnishee's disclosure;(2) the plaintiff's filing of written interrogatories;(3) the plaintiff's filing of a demand for oral examination of the garnishee;(4) the garnishee's answer to written interrogatories;(5) the garnishee's appearance for oral examination; and(6) the demand for jury trial. The order must be filed with the court and served on the other parties.
Rule 3.101 amended September 23, 2015, effective 10/1/2015; further amended effective 3/9/2016; last amended September 27, 2017, effective 5/1/2018; amended August 30, 2018, effective 9/1/2018; amended March 20, 2019, effective 5/1/2019; amended October 28, 2020, effective 1/1/2021. Staff Comment: The amendments of MCR 2.625 and 3.101 submitted by the Michigan Creditor's Bar Association, address recent amendments of MCL 600.4012, clarify the authority and process for recovering postjudgment costs, and provide clearer procedure for garnishment proceedings.
The staff comment is not an authoritative construction by the Court. In addition, adoption of an amendment in no way reflects a substantive determination by this Court.