Rule 90.03.Service on Garnishee -- Return of Service -- Return Date -- Service of Subsequent Pleadings and Papers.

Once a writ of garnishment issues, someone has to deliver it. Rule 90.03 puts that job on the sheriff, who serves the garnishee with the summons and writ. If the sheriff cannot make service after being asked, the garnishor may ask the court to appoint a special process server, who then carries the same service duties the sheriff would have had. Service can also reach an employee the garnishee has designated to accept it, or the officer who handles the garnishee’s paying, disbursing, or auditing duties. The return of service follows the general rule for returns of service, and the writ’s return date — when one applies — appears on the summons itself.

Notice does not stop with the garnishee. Within five days of learning that the garnishee was served, the garnishor must serve a copy of the summons and writ on the debtor, either by hand delivery or by mail to the debtor’s last known address. Mailed service is complete the moment it is mailed, but the garnishor still has to file a certificate of service showing the case caption, who was served, when and how, what was served, and the serving party’s signature.

The garnishee carries a parallel duty: within five days of being served, the garnishee must hand-deliver or mail a copy of the summons and writ to the debtor at the address the garnishee has on file. That double layer of notice — from both garnishor and garnishee — helps make sure the debtor learns about the garnishment even if one party’s address information is out of date. Every pleading and paper filed after the initial summons and writ is served under the general rule for service of subsequent papers.