Rule 3304.Writ for the Attachment of Wages. Issuance. Service.
Adopted December 21, 2005 · Last amended December 21, 2005 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceThe prothonotary issues the writ of attachment of wages on the landlord's praecipe when no timely exemption was claimed, or on a court order, and sends it by mail to both the employer and the tenant.
(a)The prothonotary shall issue a writ for the attachment of wages upon
(1)praecipe of the plaintiff where the defendant has not timely filed a claim for exemption of wages from attachment, or
(2)order of the court entered upon motion pursuant to Rule 3303(c).
(b)The prothonotary shall by ordinary mail send the writ to the garnishee and to the defendant.
(c)The writ of attachment of wages shall be substantially in the form pro- vided by Rule 3313.
Plain-English Summary
This rule governs issuing the writ that attaches wages. The prothonotary issues it either on the plaintiff’s praecipe where the defendant did not timely claim an exemption, or on a court order entered after the landlord’s motion challenging a claimed exemption. The prothonotary then sends the writ by ordinary mail to the garnishee — the employer — and to the defendant, in the prescribed form.
The Official Note points to the statute requiring the employer to comply. Issuing the writ only after the exemption window has closed or the court has ruled ensures the tenant’s protections are resolved before wages are reached.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the wage-attachment writ issue?
On the landlord's praecipe when no timely exemption was claimed, or on a court order after a challenged exemption.
Who receives the writ?
The prothonotary mails it to the employer and to the tenant.
Official Note
Official Note: Section 8127(c)(1) of the Judicial Code provides that the employer shall send the attached wages to the prothonotary of the court of common pleas within 15 days from the close of the last pay period in each month. Upon receipt of the attached wages, the protho- notary of the court of common pleas shall record and send said wages to the judgment creditor- landlord.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 3304 adopted December 21, 2005, effective one month after the date of the Order, 36 Pa.B. 176. FORMS
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:writ of attachment of wageswage attachment writ