Rule 668.Judgment when Garnishee Is Indebted
Last verified June 28, 2026
In one sentenceRule 668 directs the court, when the garnishee is found indebted to the defendant, to render judgment for the plaintiff against the garnishee for that debt, not exceeding the plaintiff's judgment against the defendant.
Full Text of Rule 668
Should it appear from the answer of the garnishee or should it be otherwise made to appear and be found by the court that the garnishee is indebted to the defendant in any amount, or was so indebted when the writ of garnishment was served, the court shall render judgment for the plaintiff against the garnishee for the amount so admitted or found to be due to the defendant from the garnishee, unless such amount is in excess of the amount of the plaintiff's judgment against the defendant with interest and costs, in which case, judgment shall be rendered against the garnishee for the full amount of the judgment already rendered against the defendant, together with interest and costs of the suit in the original case and also in the garnishment proceedings. If the garnishee fail or refuse to pay such judgment rendered against him, execution shall issue thereon in the same manner and under the same conditions as is or may be provided for the issuance of execution in other cases.
End
Plain-English Summary
Rule 668 turns the garnishee's debt into payment. When it appears from the answer, or is otherwise found, that the garnishee is indebted to the defendant, the court renders judgment for the plaintiff against the garnishee for the amount of that debt — but not more than the plaintiff's judgment against the defendant, plus costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a garnishee owes the debtor money in Texas?
The court enters judgment for the creditor against the garnishee for that debt, up to the underlying judgment (Rule 668).
Can a Texas garnishee owe more than the original judgment?
No. Rule 668 caps the garnishee's liability at the amount of the plaintiff's judgment against the defendant, plus interest and costs.
What if the garnishee refuses to pay the judgment against it?
Rule 668 allows execution to issue against the garnishee the same way execution issues in any other case.
Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 668), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov).
Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: judgment when garnishee is indebtedgarnishee debt judgment capexecution against garnisheeTRCP 668