Adopted March 30, 1960 · Last amended December 19, 2003 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceWhen the writ of execution issues, the prothonotary enters it in the judgment index against the defendant, which continues the existing judgment lien and creates a new five-year lien on real property the defendant acquired after the judgment.
(1)When issuing the writ, the prothonotary shall enter it against the defen- dant in the judgment index. The writ, when entered, shall
(i)continue the lien upon real property which is then subject to the lien of the judgment, and
(ii)create a lien on real property acquired by the defendant subsequent to the entry of the judgment, located in the county, title to which at the time of entry of the writ is recorded in the name of the defendant.
(2)A lien created or continued solely by the entry of a writ of execution in the judgment index shall continue for a period of five years from the date the writ was entered.
(b)Upon receiving a writ from another county, the sheriff shall deliver it to the prothonotary of his or her county who shall thereupon enter it in the judgment index and return it to the sheriff for execution. Such entry shall have the same effect as the entry of a judgment against the defendant.
(c)When the writ directs attachment of real property of the defendant in the name of a garnishee, the prothonotary of the county in which the writ is to be executed, upon praecipe of the plaintiff so directing and describing the real prop- erty in that county, shall enter the writ against the garnishee in the judgment index as a lis pendens. Entry against the garnishee shall constitute a lis pendens against the described property only in the county where the writ is entered and not against any other property of the garnishee.
Plain-English Summary
This rule gives the writ of execution its own lien effect. On issuing the writ, the prothonotary enters it against the defendant in the judgment index.
That entry continues the lien on real property already subject to the judgment and creates a lien on real property the defendant acquired after the judgment, titled in the defendant’s name when the writ is indexed. A lien resting solely on the indexed writ lasts five years from entry. When a sheriff receives a writ from another county, the sheriff routes it through the local prothonotary for indexing before executing. The act of execution itself can extend the reach of the lien.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does entering the writ accomplish?
Indexing the execution against the defendant creates a lien and publicizes the claim.
Is there special indexing for property held by a garnishee?
Yes. The rule authorizes indexing the writ where real property of the defendant is held in a garnishee's name.
Official Note
Official Note: As to the effect of entry of the writ, Rule 3104 continues the practice under the Judgment Lien Law of 1947, 12 P. S. § 883 (repealed). See also Section 4303 of the Judi- cial Code, 42 Pa.C.S. § 4303. The praecipe for the writ of execution contains a direction to the prothonotary to enter the writ in the judgment index. See Rule 3251.
Official Note: The lien of a writ of execution is not subject to revival under Rule 3025 et seq. governing revival of the lien of a judgment.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 3104 adopted March 30, 1960, effective November 1, 1960; amended December 19, 2003, effective July 1, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 22. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (255348).
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