If the court enters judgment for the plaintiff and against the garnishee upon pleadings or after trial, the judgment shall be for the property of the defendant found to be in the garnishee’s possession, but no money judgment entered against the garnishee shall exceed the amount of the judgment of the plaintiff against the defendant together with interest and costs.
Rule 3147.Judgment against garnishee on pleadings or after trial.
Adopted March 30, 1960 · Last amended March 30, 1960 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceWhen the court enters judgment for the plaintiff against the garnishee on the pleadings or after trial, the judgment is for the defendant’s property found in the garnishee’s hands, and any money judgment cannot exceed the plaintiff’s judgment plus interest and costs.
Full Text of Rule 3147
Plain-English Summary
This rule covers the contested route to judgment against a garnishee — on the pleadings or after a trial — as opposed to default or admission.
The judgment runs for the defendant’s property found to be in the garnishee’s possession. If it is a money judgment, it is capped: it may not exceed the amount of the plaintiff’s judgment against the defendant together with interest and costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a garnishee judgment entered after trial?
The court enters judgment for the defendant’s property found in the garnishee’s possession.
Is there a ceiling on the money judgment?
Yes. A money judgment against the garnishee cannot exceed the plaintiff’s judgment plus interest and costs.
Official Note
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: judgment against garnishee after trialgarnishee judgment on pleadings