(a) Upon being served with the writ, the garnishee shall promptly forward a copy to the defendant.
Rule 3140.Notice by garnishee.
Adopted March 30, 1960 · Last amended April 16, 2010 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceA garnishee served with the writ must promptly forward a copy to the defendant and later forward a copy of its answers to interrogatories, and a garnishee may not charge any fee against funds that are exempt from attachment.
Full Text of Rule 3140
(b) Upon filing his answers to interrogatories the garnishee shall promptly forward a copy to the defendant.
(c) A copy is forwarded within the requirement of this rule when it is deliv- ered to the defendant by an adult at any place within or without the Common- wealth in the manner prescribed by Rule 402(a) for service of original process or when it is mailed to the defendant by registered mail directed to his last known address.
(d) Where funds in an account are not attached as a result of Rule 3111.1, the garnishee shall not assess any fee against exempt funds contained in any account held by the garnishee.
Plain-English Summary
When a third party — a bank, an employer, anyone holding the defendant’s property — is served as a garnishee, the defendant needs to find out. This rule makes the garnishee the messenger.
On being served, the garnishee promptly forwards a copy of the writ to the defendant, and on filing answers to interrogatories forwards a copy of those too. Forwarding is done by an adult delivering it as original process is served, or by registered mail to the defendant’s last known address.
The rule also protects exempt money: where funds in an account are not attached because of the exemption rule, the garnishee may not assess any fee against the exempt funds in the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a garnishee have to tell the defendant about the attachment?
Yes. The garnishee must promptly forward a copy of the writ to the defendant, and later a copy of its answers to interrogatories.
Can a bank charge a fee against exempt funds?
No. Where funds are not attached because of the exemption rule, the garnishee may not assess any fee against the exempt funds.
Official Note
Official Note: Registered mail includes certified mail. See Definition Rule 76. Attachment of wages, salary and commissions to satisfy a money judgment arising from a residential lease pursuant to Section 8127(a)(3.1) of the Judicial Code is governed by Rule 3301 et seq.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 3140 adopted March 30, 1960, effective November 1, 1960; amended through June 20, 1985, effective January 1, 1986, 15 Pa.B. 2452; amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2281; amended May 14, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2767; amended June 14, 1999, effective September 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 3191; amended December 21, 2005, effective one month after the date of the Order, 36 Pa.B. 176; amended April 16, 2010, effective May 17, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 2243. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (316413) to (316414). (Editor’s Note: The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has suspended its order of June 14, 1999, published at 29 Pa.B. 3191 (June 26, 1999). See 29 Pa.B. 4859 (September 18, 1999).)
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: notice by garnisheegarnishee forwards writbank garnishment notice