Circuit Civil Court
P.O. Box 4667
West Palm Beach, FL 33402
NOTICE TO DEFENDANT OF RIGHT AGAINST GARNISHMENT OF
WAGES, MONEY,
AND OTHER PROPERTY
The Writ of Garnishment delivered to you with this Notice means that wages, money, and other property
belonging to you have been garnished to pay a court judgment against you. HOWEVER, YOU MAY
BE ABLE TO KEEP OR RECOVER YOUR WAGES, MONEY, OR PROPERTY. READ THIS
NOTICE CAREFULLY.
State and federal laws provide that certain wages, money, and property, even if deposited in a bank,
savings and loan, or credit union, may not be taken to pay certain types of court judgments. Such wages,
money, and property are exempt from garnishment. The major exemptions are listed below on the form
for Claim of Exemption and Request for Hearing. This list does not include all possible exemptions. You
should consult a lawyer for specific advice.
TO KEEP YOUR WAGES, MONEY, AND OTHER PROPERTY FROM BEING GARNISHED, OR
TO GET BACK ANYTHING ALREADY TAKEN, YOU MUST COMPLETE A FORM FOR CLAIM
OF EXEMPTION AND REQUEST FOR HEARING AS SET FORTH BELOW AND HAVE THE
FORM NOTARIZED. YOU MUST F IL E THE FORM WITH THE CLERK’S OFFICE WITHIN
20 DAYS AFTER THE DATE YOU RECEIVE THIS NOTICE OR YOU MAY LOSE
IMPORTANT RIGHTS. YOU MUST ALSO MAIL OR DELIVER A COPY OF THIS FORM TO
THE PLAINTIFF AND THE GARNISHEE AT THE ADDRESSES LISTED ON THE WRIT OF
GARNISHMENT.
If you request a hearing, it will be held as soon as possible after your request is received by the court. The
plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney must file any objection within 8 business days if you hand delivered to
the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney a copy of the form for Claim of Exemption and Request for Hearing
or, alternatively, 14 business days if you mailed a copy of the form for claim and request to the plaintiff or
the plaintiff’s attorney. If the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney files an objection to your Claim of
Exemption and Request for Hearing, the clerk will notify you and the other parties of the time and date of
the hearing. You may attend the hearing with or without an attorney. If the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s
attorney fails to file an objection, no hearing is required, the writ of garnishment will be dissolved and
your wages, money, or property will be released.
YOU SHOULD FILE THE FORM FOR CLAIM OF EXEMPTION IMMEDIATELY TO KEEP YOUR
WAGES, MONEY, OR PROPERTY FROM BEING APPLIED TO THE COURT JUDGMENT. THE
CLERK CANNOT GIVE YOU LEGAL ADVICE. IF YOU NEED LEGAL ASSISTANCE YOU
SHOULD SEE A LAWYER. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD A PRIVATE LAWYER, LEGAL
SERVICES MAY BE AVAILABLE. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL BAR ASSOCIATION OR ASK
THE CLERK’S OFFICE ABOUT ANY LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM IN YOUR AREA.
Claim of Exemption and Request for Hearing (F.S. 77.041) (01/21)
County Civil Court
P.O. Box 3406
West Palm Beach, FL 33402