(a) As used in this chapter ‘‘judgment’’ means a judgment or order requiring the payment of money entered in any court which is subject to these rules, including a final or interlocu- tory order for payment of costs, except a judgment against the Commonwealth or a political subdivision; ‘‘plaintiff’’ means the holder of a judgment; ‘‘political subdivision’’ means a municipal or other local authority. See Defini- tion Rule 76. ‘‘defendant’’ means any party against whom a judgment has been entered; ‘‘security’’ means a security as defined by the Uniform Commercial Code; ‘‘document of title’’ means a negotiable document of title as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code.
Rule 3101.Definitions. Garnishee. Scope.
Adopted March 30, 1960 · Last amended December 21, 2005 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule defines “judgment” for the chapter on enforcing money judgments, lists who can be a garnishee — anyone owing the debtor a debt or holding the debtor’s property — and excludes wage attachment on a residential-lease judgment from these rules.
Full Text of Rule 3101
(b) Any person may be a garnishee and shall be deemed to have possession of property of the defendant if the person
(1) owes a debt to the defendant;
(2) has property of the defendant in his or her custody, possession or con- trol;
(3) holds as fiduciary property in which the defendant has an interest;
(4) holds the legal title to property of the defendant whether or not in fraud of creditors; or
(5) owns or possesses real property subject to a mortgage, judgment or other lien in which defendant has an interest.
(c) The rules of this chapter shall not apply to the attachment of wages, sal- ary or commissions to satisfy a money judgment arising from a residential lease pursuant to Section 8127(a)(3.1) of the Judicial Code.
Plain-English Summary
This is the gateway rule for executing on a money judgment. It defines “judgment” broadly as any judgment or order for the payment of money in a covered court, including an order for costs.
It then defines a garnishee by function: any person who owes the debtor a debt, holds the debtor’s property in custody or control, holds property as a fiduciary, holds legal title for the debtor, or owns real property subject to a lien in which the debtor has an interest. Subdivision (c) carves out the attachment of wages to satisfy a residential-lease judgment, which a separate chapter governs. The Official Note adds that enforcing judgments in ejectment, replevin, and mortgage foreclosure follows its own rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a garnishee?
A third party who holds property of the debtor or owes the debtor money, and who can be reached through attachment in execution.
What does this chapter govern?
The enforcement of money judgments by execution, within the scope this rule defines.
Official Note
Official Note: The enforcement of judgments in special actions of ejectment, replevin and mortgage foreclosure is governed by Rules of Civil Procedure 3160 et seq. Political subdivision includes a municipal or other local authority. See Definition Rule 76.
Official Note: For limitation on the power to attach tangible personal property see Rule 3108(a).
Official Note: : Judgments against the Commonwealth, political subdivisions and public authorities constituting bodies corporate and politic, shall be enforced in accord with the appro- priate Acts of Assembly which remain unsuspended. As to first class townships, see The First Class Township Code of June 24, 1931, P. L. 1206, § 1711, as amended, 53 P. S. § 56711. As to second class townships, see Second Class Township Code of May 1, 1933, P. L. 103, As to boroughs, see the Borough Code of February 1, 1966, P. L. (1965) , No. 581, § 1303, as amended, 53 P. S. § 46303. As to school districts, see the Act of March 10, 1949, P. L. 30, § 611, as amended, 24 P. S. § 6-611. As to municipal authorities, state highway authorities, bridge authorities, parking authorities, public housing authorities, General State Authority, and other like public corporations, see the various applicable acts creating them, limiting the remedies of both bondholders and creditors. The following Acts of Assembly were repealed by the Judiciary Act Repealer Act (JARA). Pursuant to Section (3)(b) of that Act, 42 Pa.C.S. § 20003(b), these statutes remain part of the common law of the Commonwealth. For an example of the application of Section 3(b) of the Act, see Ricci v. Cuisine Management Services, 423 Pa. Super Ct. 371, 621 A.2d 163, 165 (1993). The County Code of August 9, 1955, P. L. 323, § 2804, 16 P. S. § 2804, as amended. The Act of July 28, 1953, P. L. 723, § 3204, 16 P. S. § 6204 pertaining to second class coun- ties.
Official Note: For the attachment of wages under Section 8127(a)(3.1) of the Judicial Code, see Rule 3301 et seq.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 3101 adopted March 30, 1960, effective November 1, 1960; amended April 20, 1998, effective July 1, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 2026; amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2281; amended December 16, 2003, effective July 1, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 22; amended December 16, 2003, effective July 1, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 9; amended December 21, 2005, effective one month after the date of the order, 36 Pa.B. 176. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (302575) to (302576).
Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment
history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation
of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. ·
Official text
Also known as: execution definitions garnishee scope