In the absence of a court order, service of the writ upon a bank or other finan- cial institution as garnishee shall not attach
Rule 3111.1.Exemptions from levy and attachment.
Adopted February 23, 2007 · Last amended April 16, 2010 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceWithout a court order, serving a bank as garnishee does not attach the first $10,000 of an account fed by recurring electronic deposits of exempt funds, similar larger accounts, or funds within the general statutory exemption.
Full Text of Rule 3111.1
(1) the first $10,000 of each account of the defendant containing any funds which are deposited electronically on a recurring basis and are identified as being funds that upon deposit are exempt from execution, levy or attachment under Pennsylvania or Federal law,
(2) each account in which funds on deposit exceed $10,000 at any time if all funds are deposited electronically on a recurring basis and are identified as being funds that upon deposit are ecempt from execution, levy or attachment under Pennsylvania or Federal law, and
(3) the funds on deposit, not including any otherwise exempt funds, that do not exceed the amount of the general monetary exemption under 42 Pa.C.S. § 8123. The plaintiff shall have the right to file an objection if the plaintiff believes that the defendant has exhausted the statutory exemption.
Plain-English Summary
This rule shields certain bank funds from automatic attachment. Absent a court order, serving a bank or other financial institution as garnishee does not attach the first $10,000 of an account that receives recurring electronic deposits identified as exempt on deposit, nor such an account whose balance exceeds $10,000 if all its funds are recurring exempt deposits, nor funds within the general monetary exemption of the Judicial Code.
The creditor may object if it believes the protection is misapplied. The rule guards money like recurring benefit payments from being frozen the instant a garnishment lands, while still letting a creditor test the claim in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this rule protect?
Property the rule designates as exempt from levy and attachment in execution.
Why have exemptions?
To shield a measure of the debtor's property from seizure even when a judgment is enforced.
Official Note
Official Note: See Rule 3146(b)(2) governing judgment against a bank or other financial institution as garnishee upon admission in answer to interrogatory.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 3111.1 adopted February 23, 2007, effective April 1, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 939; amended April 16, 2010, effective May 17, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 2243. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (326450).
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: exemptions levy attachment