What is the process for obtaining a garnishment order in a small claims court case?

If a person is trying to collect a debt in a small claims court case in Washington, they may issue a garnishment order to the defendant. A garnishment order is an order from a court requiring the defendant’s employer to withhold a certain amount of money from the defendant’s paycheck and to send the money to the person filing the small claims court case. First, the plaintiff (person filing the small claims court case) must file a Statement of Claim with the court. This statement must specify the amount of money that is being requested from the defendant. After the Statement of Claim is filed, the court will issue a Summons and Complaint or a Citation to the defendant with instructions on how to respond. Once the defendant responds (or fails to respond) to the Summons and Complaint or the Citation, the plaintiff can then file a Motion for Garnishment Order with the court. This motion must specify how much money the plaintiff is requesting to be withheld from the defendant’s paycheck. After the motion is filed, the court will review the documentation and either grant or deny the request. If the court grants the request, it will issue an Order of Garnishment to the defendant’s employer instructing them to withhold the specified amount of money from the defendant’s paycheck and to send it to the plaintiff. The defendant’s employer must then obey the Order of Garnishment or face possible sanctions.

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What is the process for obtaining a garnishment order in a small claims court case?

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