(a) Not later than thirty days after the sale of real property and not later than five days after the sale of personal property, the sheriff shall prepare a schedule of proposed distribution of the proceeds of sale which shall be filed in the pro- thonotary’s office. No schedule of distribution or list of liens need be filed when the property is sold to the plaintiff for costs only.
Rule 3136.Distribution of proceeds.
Adopted March 30, 1960 · Last amended May 29, 2015 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceThe sheriff prepares a schedule of proposed distribution of the sale proceeds — within thirty days for real property and five days for personal property — and distributes accordingly unless written exceptions are filed within ten days, which the court then decides.
Full Text of Rule 3136
(b) When a receipt of the plaintiff or other lien creditor has been accepted on account of the purchase price the schedule shall set forth the name and address of the plaintiff or lien creditor, the amount of the judgment or lien, identifying it, and the amount of credit claimed and allowed upon the purchase price.
(c) In sales of real property the sheriff shall attach to the schedule a list of liens upon the property sold as certified from the record by the proper officers or a guaranteed search from any title company authorized to do business within the county. The cost of certifying the list of liens or the title search, the acknowledg- ment, recording and registry of the deed and transfer or documentary stamps shall be charged as an expense of distribution.
(d) The sheriff shall distribute the proceeds of sale in accordance with the proposed schedule of distribution, unless written exceptions are filed with the sheriff not later than ten (10) days after the filing of the proposed schedule.
(e) Upon the filing of exceptions, the sheriff shall transmit them to the pro- thonotary together with a copy of the proposed schedule of distribution.
(f) The court shall determine the exceptions, and for this purpose may receive evidence by deposition or otherwise, or may appoint an auditor to hear the evidence and report to the court.
(g) The proceeds of sale need not be paid into court by the sheriff but upon petition of the sheriff or any party in interest, the court may order the proceeds to be paid into court to await distribution or may order the sheriff to invest the fund for distribution pending final disposition of the exceptions or an appeal therefrom.
(h) If the sheriff receives any money for costs or in connection with a stay, adjournment or postponement of sale or otherwise, the sheriff shall account for it on returning the writ.
Plain-English Summary
After a sale, someone has to divide the money. This rule makes the sheriff propose the split and gives interested parties a chance to object.
The sheriff files a schedule of proposed distribution in the prothonotary’s office — within thirty days after a real-property sale, five days after a personal-property sale. For real property the schedule includes a certified list of liens or a guaranteed title search, with the cost charged as an expense of distribution. No schedule is needed when the property sells to the plaintiff for costs only.
The sheriff distributes per the schedule unless written exceptions are filed within ten days. Exceptions go to the prothonotary with a copy of the schedule, and the court decides them, taking evidence or appointing an auditor. The proceeds need not be paid into court, but the court may order that on petition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are sale proceeds divided?
The sheriff files a schedule of proposed distribution and distributes according to it unless written exceptions are filed within ten days.
How long does the sheriff have to file the schedule?
Within thirty days after a real-property sale and five days after a personal-property sale.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 3136 adopted March 30, 1960, effective November 1, 1960; amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2281; amended May 29, 2015, effective July 1, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 2825. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (371496) to (371497).
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: distribution of proceedsschedule of distributionexceptions to distribution