Judgment against me for a debt in Pennsylvania: what to do

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026

In Pennsylvania:

Claim an exemption after a garnishment or bank levy
File a Claim for Exemption (in the form set by Pa.R.C.P. 3252(a)) with the sheriff, and ask for a prompt hearing.
How much of your pay can be taken
Pennsylvania generally does not allow wage garnishment for ordinary consumer debts like credit cards or medical bills (42 Pa.C.S. § 8127).
Do this now
Get a copy of the judgment from the court clerk, and note the date, the amount, any interest and costs, and the creditor's lawyer.

Make this letter for Pennsylvania →

General legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm.

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Choose your state and answer 3 quick questions. The plan below changes as you answer: steps that don't fit your answers are hidden, and your state's deadlines appear. Your answers stay in the page address.

Your plan for Pennsylvania

Do now

  1. Get a copy of the judgment from the court clerk, and note the date, the amount, any interest and costs, and the creditor's lawyer.

    Why: These show how much you owe now and when each deadline starts.

  2. If you didn't answer because you never got the papers or had a good reason, see the default judgment plan: there is a short deadline to ask the court to set it aside.

    Why: If the judgment is set aside, the case reopens and you can defend it.

  3. If you went to court and lost, ask the clerk right away about the deadline to appeal or to ask for a new trial.

    Why: These deadlines are short and count from the date of the judgment.

  4. If you agreed to the judgment, read the agreement again for the payment terms and what happens if a payment is late.

    Why: A judgment, even an agreed one, is a court order the creditor can enforce under its terms.

  5. Check your state's deadline to claim an exemption, and the deadline on the garnishment or levy notice, and mark it.

    Claim an exemption after a garnishment or bank levy

    Pennsylvania: File a Claim for Exemption (in the form set by Pa.R.C.P. 3252(a)) with the sheriff, and ask for a prompt hearing.

    Why: If you miss it, money the law protects can be paid to the creditor.

This week

  1. Read your state's rules below on wage garnishment, bank levies and exemptions.

    How much of your pay can be taken

    Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania generally does not allow wage garnishment for ordinary consumer debts like credit cards or medical bills (42 Pa.C.S. § 8127).

    Why: For an ordinary debt, federal law lets a creditor take at most 25% of your take-home pay, or the part above 30 times the federal minimum wage if that is less, and many states protect more.

  2. File the claim of exemption with the court or officer named on the garnishment papers; see the wage garnishment plan.

    Why: You can ask to keep pay you need to support yourself and your family.

  3. File the claim of exemption for the money in the frozen account that the law protects; see the bank levy plan.

    Why: Exempt money must be released, but often only after you claim it.

  4. Tell your bank and the court that the account receives federal benefits. The bank must protect two months of directly deposited federal benefits automatically, and you can claim other protected benefit money.

    Why: Federal rules make banks protect up to two months of directly deposited federal benefits, and Social Security can't be garnished by a private creditor.

  5. If you can pay something, contact the creditor's lawyer about a payment plan or a lump-sum settlement, and get the agreement in writing before you pay.

    Why: A written agreement can stop or avoid a garnishment and proves what you agreed to.

If it's not resolved

  1. Keep records of every payment and every amount taken, and ask for a written payoff amount.

    Why: So you know when the judgment is paid and collection must stop.

  2. Note how long the judgment lasts in your state and whether it can be renewed.

    Pennsylvania: The creditor can issue execution against personal property within 20 years after the judgment.

    Why: A judgment may not go away on its own; creditors can often renew it.

  3. When the judgment is paid in full, ask the creditor's lawyer for written proof and ask the clerk how the court records that the judgment is paid.

    Why: The court record should show the debt is paid, so it doesn't come back later.

  4. If you have several judgments or can't cover basic needs, ask legal aid about bankruptcy.

    Why: A bankruptcy filing stops most garnishments and collection while the case is open.

Deadlines

Claim an exemption after a garnishment or bank levy

General rule: see state; the deadline is also printed on the notice

In Pennsylvania:

File a Claim for Exemption (in the form set by Pa.R.C.P. 3252(a)) with the sheriff, and ask for a prompt hearing. The sheriff must notify the creditor and bank and present it to the court, which must hear it within 5 business days. The bank cannot be ordered to pay over for 20 days after it was served while a claim may be filed. In a magisterial district levy on goods, claim your $300 exemption with the executing officer; you can appeal his appraisal within 2 days.

Law: Pa.R.C.P. 3123.1; Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 406, 408 · checked Oct 2026 · Official source · From Debt Suit Map: Pennsylvania

How much of your pay can be taken

General rule: Federal: lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount above 30 x federal minimum wage per week; state may protect more

In Pennsylvania:

Pennsylvania generally does not allow wage garnishment for ordinary consumer debts like credit cards or medical bills (42 Pa.C.S. § 8127). Exceptions include support, some residential lease judgments and PHEAA student loans; federal debts can be taken under federal law.

Law: Pa.R.C.P. 3123.1; Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 406, 408 · checked Oct 2026 · Official source · From Debt Suit Map: Pennsylvania

Freezing a bank account

General rule: see state; two months of directly deposited federal benefits are protected automatically

In Pennsylvania:

A magisterial district judge's order of execution can reach only tangible personal property; to garnish a bank account, the creditor transfers the judgment to the Court of Common Pleas and has a writ of execution served on the bank. $300 of any property, including money in a bank account, is exempt (42 Pa.C.S. § 8123).

Law: Pa.R.C.P. 3123.1; Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 406, 408 · checked Oct 2026 · Official source · From Debt Suit Map: Pennsylvania

How long the judgment lasts

General rule: see state

In Pennsylvania:

The creditor can issue execution against personal property within 20 years after the judgment. The judgment's lien on real estate must be revived within 5 years to keep it.

Law: 42 Pa.C.S. § 8101; 41 P.S. § 202; 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5526(1), 5529(a) · checked Oct 2026 · Official source · From Debt Suit Map: Pennsylvania

Interest on the judgment

General rule: see state

In Pennsylvania:

The lawful rate, which is 6% a year, unless another statute provides otherwise.

Law: 42 Pa.C.S. § 8101; 41 P.S. § 202; 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5526(1), 5529(a) · checked Oct 2026 · Official source · From Debt Suit Map: Pennsylvania

Key facts for Pennsylvania

Debt Suit Map

Time to answer a debt lawsuit
as few as 20 days
Shortest time to ask to cancel a default judgment
10 days
Official answer form
No official form found
How long a judgment lasts
20 years

Debt Suit Map: Pennsylvania · checked Oct 2026

Debt Collector Map

Time limit to sue on a debt
4 years
Wage garnishment limit
Not for most consumer debts
State license for collectors
No statewide license

Debt Collector Map: Pennsylvania · checked Oct 2026

Documents to gather

  • A copy of the judgment
  • Garnishment or bank levy notices and any exemption claim form
  • Recent pay stubs
  • Bank statements showing federal benefit deposits
  • Proof of household expenses (rent, utilities, child care)
  • Records of every payment you made

Where to go

Costs

Filing a claim of exemption is often free; ask the clerk. While the judgment is unpaid, interest and collection costs can keep adding up, at the rate your state sets.

Talk to a lawyer if

  • You never knew about the lawsuit
  • More than the legal limit is being taken
  • You can't pay for rent or food
  • You have more than one judgment
  • The creditor is trying to take your home or car

Free help

Free civil legal aid for people with low income: find your local program through the Legal Services Corporation (lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/get-legal-help) or LawHelp.org (lawhelp.org). Many legal aid offices handle debt collection lawsuits, default judgments, garnishment and bankruptcy. Servicemembers can use their base legal (JAG) office. Some courts have free volunteer-lawyer programs or self-help centers for debt cases; ask the clerk.

Guides for your state

Guides for every state

Questions

Claim an exemption after a garnishment or bank levy in Pennsylvania: what is the rule?

File a Claim for Exemption (in the form set by Pa.R.C.P. 3252(a)) with the sheriff, and ask for a prompt hearing. The sheriff must notify the creditor and bank and present it to the court, which must hear it within 5 business days. The bank cannot be ordered to pay over for 20 days after it was served while a claim may be filed. In a magisterial district levy on goods, claim your $300 exemption with the executing officer; you can appeal his appraisal within 2 days. (Pa.R.C.P. 3123.1; Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 406, 408)

How much of your pay can be taken in Pennsylvania: what is the rule?

Pennsylvania generally does not allow wage garnishment for ordinary consumer debts like credit cards or medical bills (42 Pa.C.S. § 8127). Exceptions include support, some residential lease judgments and PHEAA student loans; federal debts can be taken under federal law. (Pa.R.C.P. 3123.1; Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 406, 408)

Freezing a bank account in Pennsylvania: what is the rule?

A magisterial district judge's order of execution can reach only tangible personal property; to garnish a bank account, the creditor transfers the judgment to the Court of Common Pleas and has a writ of execution served on the bank. $300 of any property, including money in a bank account, is exempt (42 Pa.C.S. § 8123). (Pa.R.C.P. 3123.1; Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 406, 408)

How long the judgment lasts in Pennsylvania: what is the rule?

The creditor can issue execution against personal property within 20 years after the judgment. The judgment's lien on real estate must be revived within 5 years to keep it. (42 Pa.C.S. § 8101; 41 P.S. § 202; 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5526(1), 5529(a))

Interest on the judgment in Pennsylvania: what is the rule?

The lawful rate, which is 6% a year, unless another statute provides otherwise. (42 Pa.C.S. § 8101; 41 P.S. § 202; 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5526(1), 5529(a))

When should I talk to a lawyer?

You never knew about the lawsuit; More than the legal limit is being taken; You can't pay for rent or food; You have more than one judgment; The creditor is trying to take your home or car.

How much does it cost?

Filing a claim of exemption is often free; ask the clerk. While the judgment is unpaid, interest and collection costs can keep adding up, at the rate your state sets.

Plans by state

Open the plan with one state's rules filled in:

Sources

Plan checked Oct 2026. Independently fact-checked 2026-10-25.

This plan is general legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines change and have exceptions: check with the official source or a lawyer or legal aid office about your own case. How we research.