The summons in garnishment, whether issued by a circuit court or a district court, may be directed to a sheriff of any county or city wherein the judgment debtor resides or where the garnishment defendant resides or where either may be found and shall be made returnable to the court that issued it within 90 days from the writ's issuance, except that, in the case of a wage garnishment, the summons shall be returnable not more than 180 days after such issuance.
§ 8.01-514.When garnishment summons returnable.
Chapter 18. Executions and Other Means of Recovery · Article 7. Garnishment · Last amended 2006 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceA garnishment summons can be directed to a sheriff anywhere the debtor or garnishee resides or can be found, and must be returnable to the issuing court within 90 days of issuance, except that a wage garnishment gets a longer 180-day return window.
Full Text of § 8.01-514
Plain-English Summary
Every garnishment summons needs a deadline — a return day by which the garnishee has to respond and the case comes back before the court. Section 8.01-514 sets that clock.
Geographically, the summons has flexibility: it can go to a sheriff in any county or city where the debtor lives, where the garnishee lives, or wherever either one can be found, regardless of which court issued it or received the execution.
On timing, most garnishments return within 90 days of issuance. Wage garnishments get more room, 180 days, recognizing that pulling money out of a paycheck happens gradually across pay periods rather than in one lump sum, so the process needs more time to run its course before it has to come back to court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a garnishment summons be directed for service?
To a sheriff of any county or city where the debtor resides, where the garnishee resides, or where either may be found.
What is the standard return period for a garnishment summons?
Ninety days from the writ’s issuance.
How is a wage garnishment different?
It gets a longer return period, up to 180 days after issuance.
Does it matter whether a circuit court or a district court issued the summons?
No, the rule applies to summonses issued by either.
Why does a wage garnishment get more time than other garnishments?
Because wages come in over successive pay periods, so withholding plays out over a longer stretch than a one-time debt or bank-account garnishment.
Amendment History
Code 1950, § 8-442; 1976, c. 659; 1977, cc. 454, 617; 1979, c. 36; 2003, c. 234; 2006, c. 575.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
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