Rule 3118.Supplementary relief in aid of execution.

Last amended April 12, 1999 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceOn the creditor’s petition, after notice and hearing, the court may enter orders in aid of execution — freezing transfers of the debtor’s property, preserving collateral, compelling disclosure of where assets are, and granting other appropriate relief.

Full Text of Rule 3118

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(a) On petition of the plaintiff, after notice and hearing, the court in which a judgment has been entered may, before or after the issuance of a writ of execution, enter an order against any party or person

(1) enjoining the negotiation, transfer, assignment or other disposition of any security, document of title, pawn ticket, instrument, mortgage, or document representing any property interest of the defendant subject to execution;

(2) enjoining the transfer, removal, conveyance, assignment or other disposition of property of the defendant subject to execution;

(3) directing the defendant or any other party or person to take such action as the court may direct to preserve collateral security for property of the defendant levied upon or attached, or any security interest levied upon or attached;

(4) directing the disclosure to the sheriff of the whereabouts of property of the defendant;

(5) directing that property of the defendant which has been removed from the county or concealed for the purpose of avoiding execution shall be delivered to the sheriff or made available for execution; and

(6) granting such other relief as may be deemed necessary and appropriate.

(b) The petition and notice of the hearing shall be served only within the Commonwealth in the manner prescribed by Rule 440 for the service of legal papers other than original process.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule gives a creditor equitable help without a separate equity action. On petition after notice and a hearing, the court where the judgment was entered may, before or after a writ issues, order a party or other person to refrain from transferring securities, instruments, or other property of the debtor subject to execution, to preserve collateral, to disclose to the sheriff where the debtor’s property is, and to deliver up property removed or concealed to avoid execution — plus any other relief the court finds necessary.

The petition is served within the Commonwealth like other legal papers, and violating the court’s order may be punished as contempt. It is the catch-all that lets a court keep assets within reach while execution runs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What relief can the court give under this rule?

Orders restraining disposition of the debtor's property, preserving collateral, compelling disclosure of its location, and other appropriate equitable relief.

How is this relief obtained?

By petition filed in the court in which the judgment was entered, after notice and a hearing.

Official Note

Official Note: Service of a writ of execution against a garnishee enjoins the garnishee as provided in Rule 3111 but supplementary aid may be obtained under this rule against any party or person without the necessity of separate proceedings in equity in aid of execution.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 3118 amended June 20, 1985, effective January 1, 1986, 15 Pa.B. 2452; amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2281. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (243908).

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: supplementary relief in aid of execution