(a) The defenses of immunity or exemption of property from attachment or a question of jurisdiction over the garnishee may be raised by preliminary objec- tions filed by the defendant or the garnishee.
Rule 3142.Preliminary objections.
Adopted March 30, 1960 · Last amended March 30, 1960 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceA garnishee or the defendant may raise the defenses of immunity or exemption of property, or a challenge to jurisdiction over the garnishee, by preliminary objections, which must state their grounds and be raised at one time.
Full Text of Rule 3142
(b) Preliminary objections shall state specifically the grounds relied upon. All preliminary objections shall be raised at one time. They may be inconsistent.
(c) A question of jurisdiction may be raised only by preliminary objections which shall be filed before the garnishee enters an appearance or files an answer to interrogatories. Exemption or immunity of property from execution may be raised at any time.
Plain-English Summary
This rule gives the garnishee and the defendant a way to knock out an attachment at the threshold by preliminary objections.
The objections can raise immunity or exemption of property from attachment, or a question of jurisdiction over the garnishee. They must state their grounds specifically and be raised all at once, though they may be inconsistent.
Timing differs by ground. A jurisdiction objection must be filed before the garnishee enters an appearance or answers interrogatories, while exemption or immunity of property may be raised at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a garnishee challenge an attachment?
By preliminary objections raising immunity or exemption of property, or a question of jurisdiction over the garnishee.
Is there a deadline for these objections?
A jurisdiction objection must come before the garnishee appears or answers; exemption or immunity may be raised at any time.
Official Note
Official Note: See also Rule 3145(b) authorizing the garnishee to raise the defenses of immunity or exemption by answer to interrogatories and Rule 3121(d) authorizing the court, on application of any party in interest, to set aside the writ, service or levy upon a showing of exemption or immunity of property from execution or upon any other legal or equitable grounds therefor.
Official Note: Adopted March 30, 1960, effective November 1, 1960.
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: preliminary objections garnisheeexemption objectionjurisdiction over garnishee