(a) The plaintiff may, at the time of issuance of the writ or thereafter, file and serve interrogatories directed to the garnishee respecting property of the defen- dant in the garnishee’s possession. The plaintiff in the interrogatories may require the garnishee to include in the answer, so far as relevant, the names and addresses of persons taking part in any transaction, the specific amount of any debt, the value and location of any property and the nature and amount of consideration given for any transfer of property.
Rule 3144.Interrogatories to garnishee.
Adopted March 30, 1960 · Last amended April 12, 1999 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceThe plaintiff may file and serve interrogatories on the garnishee about the defendant’s property in the garnishee’s hands, and the interrogatories must give the garnishee twenty days to answer.
Full Text of Rule 3144
(b) The interrogatories shall contain a notice to answer within twenty days after service.
Plain-English Summary
Attachment works through questions to the garnishee. This rule is the plaintiff’s tool to find out what the garnishee holds.
The plaintiff may serve interrogatories, when the writ issues or later, asking the garnishee about the defendant’s property in its possession — including names and addresses of people in a transaction, the amount of a debt, the value and location of property, and what was given for any transfer. The interrogatories must carry a notice to answer within twenty days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are interrogatories to a garnishee for?
They require the garnishee to disclose the defendant’s property in its possession, including debts owed and property held, so the plaintiff can reach it.
How long does the garnishee have to answer?
Twenty days, as stated in the notice the interrogatories must contain.
Official Note
Official Note: See Rule 3101 defining property in possession of garnishee.
Official Note: For form of interrogatories, see Rule 3253 infra.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 3144 adopted March 30, 1960, effective November 1, 1960; amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2281. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (243922).
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: interrogatories to garnisheegarnishment questions