Garnishment

Garnishment is a legal procedure through which a creditor can obtain a court order to collect amounts owed by a debtor from a third party that holds the debtor's assets. This process often involves the garnishment of wages or bank accounts and is used to enforce judgments against debtors.

Garnishment has its roots in common law and has evolved as a remedy for creditors to collect debts effectively. Historically, it allowed creditors to secure a portion of a debtor's asset held by a third party to satisfy a judgment.

In modern law, garnishment is an important tool for creditors seeking to enforce judgments in civil litigation. It is regulated by statutes, which typically require a court order and provide guidelines on exempt income and the portion of wages that can be garnished.

• An employee has a portion of their salary garnished by the court to repay an outstanding debt to a former creditor.
• A bank is ordered by the court to freeze and return funds from a debtor's account to satisfy a valid judgment.

• Florida v. E. S. C. Holding Corp.