When a claim is filed, the sheriff shall stay the execution against the claimed property and forthwith send a copy of the claim by ordinary mail to the plaintiff, the defendant, and all other execution creditors and claimants of the property, together with a notice substantially in the form provided by Rule 3259, that unless a party in interest requests an appraisal the sheriff, without making an appraisal will accept the value of the property set forth in the claim. The filing of the claim shall not stay execution as to property not included in the claim.
Rule 3203.Notice of claim; request for appraisal; stay of sale.
Adopted August 30, 1965 · Last amended August 30, 1965 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceOnce a property claim is filed, the sheriff stays the execution against the claimed property and promptly mails a copy of the claim to the plaintiff, the defendant, and others in interest.
Full Text of Rule 3203
Plain-English Summary
This rule sets what the sheriff does the moment a claim arrives. The sheriff stays the execution against the claimed property — so it is not sold while ownership is in question — and forthwith sends a copy of the claim by ordinary mail to the plaintiff, the defendant, and others in interest.
The stay protects the claimant’s asserted property from being sold out from under a valid claim, and the notice tells the execution creditor and debtor that ownership is contested. The steps freeze the situation so the interpleader can sort out title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does filing a claim stop the sale?
Yes. The sheriff stays the execution against the claimed property once the claim is filed.
Who is notified of the claim?
The sheriff mails a copy to the plaintiff, the defendant, and others in interest.
Official Note
Official Note: Adopted August 30, 1965, effective March 1, 1966. When several writs of execution are outstanding against the same defendant, see Rule 3115(a).
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: stay of sale interpleadernotice of property claim