Michigan Form DC 88 is the Request and Writ for Garnishment (Periodic) that a judgment creditor files with the same Michigan court that entered the money judgment to capture the debtor’s wages, rent payments, land‑contract installments, or other periodic income from a third party called the garnishee. The form is published by the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO), and the version in active use carries a revision date of 3/24 in the lower‑left corner.
Filers who get a single box wrong often watch the writ get rejected by the clerk, dismissed by the garnishee, or quashed by the judge — and each of those outcomes burns the statutory $15 writ fee plus the $35.00 garnishee disclosure fee the creditor has to advance under MCL 600.4012. According to the Michigan Courts annual caseload report, Michigan trial courts processed more than 380,000 garnishment requests in a recent year, and clerks reject a meaningful share for missing signatures, stale judgments, or wrong case numbers.
Here is exactly what this guide unpacks:
- 📝 How every box, line, and signature on DC 88 should be filled in, in the order the form prints them
- 💰 How to calculate the Total Amount of Judgment, post‑judgment interest under MCL 600.6013, costs, and unsatisfied balance without triggering a clerk rejection
- 🏛️ How to file DC 88 through MiFILE, by mail, or in person at the issuing court clerk
- ⏱️ What happens during the 91‑day life of the writ under MCR 3.101(B)(1)(a)(ii) and how to renew before it expires
- 🚫 The most common DC 88 mistakes, including service errors, wrong garnishee address, and miscalculated interest, plus the field‑level fixes that prevent each one
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Michigan Form DC 88 is a combined request and writ. The first half is the creditor’s sworn request asking the court to issue the writ, and the second half is the writ itself, which the clerk signs and seals so the creditor can serve it on the garnishee. The form is governed by MCR 3.101 and by MCL 600.4011 through 600.4061, which together define how a Michigan judgment creditor reaches a defendant’s future income or rent.
The form is only for periodic garnishments — meaning income paid in repeating installments. That includes wages, salary, commissions, land‑contract payments, rent under a lease, and certain pensions or annuities. It does not cover one‑time accounts at a bank (that needs Form MC 13, the non‑periodic writ) and it does not cover state income‑tax refunds (that needs Form MC 52).
Three groups file DC 88 most often. First, landlords who won a money judgment in district court for unpaid rent and now want to garnish the former tenant’s paycheck. Second, consumer‑debt buyers and credit‑card creditors with default judgments out of district court. Third, small business owners enforcing breach‑of‑contract or small‑claims judgments. Plaintiff attorneys file the largest share, but pro se creditors are welcome — the Michigan Legal Help garnishment toolkit is built for exactly that audience.
Periodic writs reach into the defendant’s paycheck for 91 days from issuance under MCR 3.101(B)(1)(a)(ii), then expire automatically. The creditor must file a new DC 88 to keep collecting. Each filing requires its own $15 writ fee and its own $35 disclosure fee, so timing the renewals matters.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every item below before opening the form. A missing data point will not just slow you down — it will trigger a clerk rejection or a defective writ that the garnishee can ignore.
- Certified copy of the underlying judgment. You need the case number, the judgment date, and the dollar amounts. Without it, you cannot prove the writ is based on a live, unsatisfied judgment under MCR 3.101(D).
- Defendant’s full legal name, last known address, and last four of Social Security number. The garnishee uses these to match payroll. A mismatched name causes the employer disclosure to come back as “no such employee”.
- Garnishee’s exact legal name and registered‑agent address. Pull the registered agent from the LARA Corporations Online Filing System (COFS). Serving the wrong corporate entity voids the writ.
- Total Amount of Judgment, costs, and accrued interest. Calculate post‑judgment interest under MCL 600.6013 using the State Treasurer’s published rate.
- Payments and credits applied since judgment. You must subtract every dollar the defendant has paid. Inflating the unsatisfied balance is sanctionable under MCR 1.109(E).
- Court contact information. Confirm the issuing court’s address, phone, and clerk’s e‑filing requirements through the Michigan Trial Court Directory.
- Method of payment for fees. MiFILE accepts credit card; most clerks accept check or money order for in‑person and mail filings.
- Plaintiff’s signature authority. If the plaintiff is a corporation, an authorized employee or attorney signs. Pro se plaintiffs sign personally.
- Verification language. The Verification block requires a sworn statement that the request is true. False verifications are perjury under MCL 600.1701.
- Form MC 19 (Proof of Service) and Form DC 91 (Garnishee Disclosure). Both must travel with the writ — DC 91 is what the garnishee fills out and returns within 14 days under MCR 3.101(H).
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official, fillable PDF lives on the SCAO court forms library. Search “DC 88” and download the version stamped 3/24 in the lower‑left corner; older versions still circulate online but contain outdated fee language. Always pull a fresh copy for each filing because SCAO updates form revisions without notice.
Do not use scanned third‑party copies from collection blogs. The court clerk will reject a writ that omits the current SCAO footer or that uses an obsolete revision date. The Michigan One Court of Justice site is the only authoritative source.
For e‑filing, log in to MiFILE, Michigan’s mandatory e‑filing portal in most district and circuit courts. MiFILE will generate the writ, accept payment, and route it to the correct clerk. The portal accepts the SCAO PDF directly, so you can fill the PDF on your computer, save it, and upload it.
For mail or in‑person filings (still allowed in a handful of non‑e‑filing courts), print the form on plain white 8.5” x 11” paper, single‑sided, and bring three copies plus the original — one for the court file, one for the garnishee, one for the defendant, and one for your records. Confirm whether your court is on the MiFILE rollout schedule before mailing, because most courts no longer accept paper.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out DC 88 Line by Line
The form prints as a single front‑and‑back page divided into a caption, a Request section, a Writ section, and a Verification. Work top to bottom. Do not skip the boxes that look optional — many of them are required by MCR 3.101(D).
Court Caption (Top Header)
The header asks for the judicial district, judicial circuit, or county probate and the court address. In plain English, you are telling the court which courthouse and division entered the judgment.
Print the court name exactly as it appears on the judgment, then the court’s street address, city, and ZIP. Use all caps if the original judgment used all caps; consistency matters more than style.
For example, Maria Lopez, a Detroit landlord with a judgment from the 36th District Court, writes 36TH in the judicial district box and 421 MADISON AVE, DETROIT, MI 48226 on the address line.
If the judgment was transferred from another court under MCR 4.201(N), use the receiving court’s caption, not the originating court’s. The transferring court no longer has jurisdiction.
A common mistake here is mixing the district court caption with a circuit court address because the creditor moved offices. Result: the clerk rejects the filing and the writ never issues.
A widespread misconception is that the caption can match the original complaint. It must match the current judgment file, including any post‑judgment transfers.
Case Number (Top Right of Caption)
This box asks for the docket number assigned to the underlying lawsuit. It is the spine of every clerk’s filing system.
Copy the number exactly, including the year prefix and the case‑type letter (GC, SC, CZ, NZ, etc.). Add a hyphen between segments if the original judgment uses one.
For example, Carlos Rivera, suing on a credit‑card judgment, writes 24‑012345‑GC because his judgment was a general civil case filed in 2024.
If the case was reopened with a new sub‑number for collection (some courts add ‑R), use the original docket number unless the clerk specifically issued a new one.
A common error is dropping the case‑type suffix. The clerk’s docket software will not match the writ to the file, and the writ will sit in a queue until it is rejected.
A misconception is that “case number” means the judgment number. They are different in Michigan; always use the docket number.
Plaintiff (Box 1 — Left Column)
This box identifies the judgment creditor — the party owed money. In plain English, it is you if you won.
Enter the plaintiff’s full legal name. For a business, use the registered legal name from LARA, not a DBA. Add the address below the name.
For example, Lakeshore Rentals LLC writes LAKESHORE RENTALS LLC, 88 LAKE ST, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503.
If the plaintiff assigned the judgment to a debt buyer, the assignee is the new plaintiff and a copy of the assignment must be attached under MCR 2.501(D).
Common mistake: using a DBA. Banks and employers cannot match the writ to a recognizable legal entity, and the disclosure comes back blank.
Misconception: that you can list multiple plaintiffs informally. Each plaintiff must appear with full legal name; if there is more than one, list all on separate lines or attach a continuation sheet.
Plaintiff’s Attorney (Box Below Plaintiff)
This box asks for the bar attorney representing the plaintiff. It is optional only when the plaintiff is pro se.
Enter the attorney’s name, P‑number, firm, address, phone, and email. Pro se filers leave it blank or write PRO SE.
For example, attorney Janet Park (P54321) of Park Collections PLLC completes the block on behalf of Carlos Rivera.
If the attorney is barred but appears specially for the post‑judgment phase, enter the same information; a separate appearance is not required for periodic garnishments under MCR 2.117(C)(2).
A common mistake is leaving the P‑number off. MiFILE will refuse to accept the filing without a valid bar number on attorney filings.
A misconception is that the attorney signature on the request also satisfies the verification. It does not — the plaintiff (or the attorney with personal knowledge) must verify under oath.
Defendant (Box 2 — Right Column)
This box identifies the judgment debtor whose income you are reaching. In plain English, it is the person whose paycheck you want.
Enter the defendant’s full legal name exactly as it appears on the judgment, then the last known address. If the judgment lists John A. Smith, do not write John Smith.
For example, Maria Lopez writes DAVID T. JOHNSON, 1140 ELM ST, DETROIT, MI 48207 because that is the name on her judgment.
If the defendant has a common name (Smith, Garcia, Nguyen), include the last four of the SSN in the Defendant’s Social Security number box so the garnishee can match payroll. SCAO permits the last four digits only for privacy.
Common mistake: writing a nickname or married name not used in the judgment. Payroll cannot match it, and the disclosure returns “no employee found.”
Misconception: that you can update the defendant’s address to a new one. The address on the writ should be the last known address — but service must still go to wherever the defendant currently lives or can be found.
Garnishee (Box 3 — Center)
This is the third party that holds the defendant’s income. For wages, it is the employer; for rent, the tenant of the defendant’s land contract.
Enter the garnishee’s exact legal name and registered agent address from LARA COFS. Do not use the storefront address.
For example, if David Johnson works at Henry Ford Health System, Maria writes HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM, C/O CSC‑LAWYERS INCORPORATING SERVICE, 601 ABBOT RD, EAST LANSING, MI 48823.
If the employer is a sole proprietorship without a registered agent, serve the proprietor personally at the business address.
A common mistake is writing the local branch instead of the registered agent. The branch manager has no authority to accept service of process, and the writ is void under MCR 2.105(D).
Misconception: that the IRS Form W‑2 employer address is good enough. It is not — Michigan service rules require the registered agent.
Judgment Date
This box asks when the underlying judgment was entered.
Enter the date in MM/DD/YYYY format from the face of the judgment, not the date the case was filed.
For example, Carlos Rivera writes 03/14/2024 because the default judgment was entered that day.
If a renewed judgment was entered under MCL 600.5809(3), use the renewal date, not the original.
Common mistake: using the complaint filing date. Interest is then miscalculated, and the writ overstates the balance.
Misconception: that an amended judgment resets the date. It does only if the amendment changed the dollar amount; otherwise the original entry date controls.
Total Amount of Judgment
This box is the dollar figure shown on the judgment itself, including costs and attorney fees the court awarded.
Enter the number in dollars and cents. Do not include post‑judgment interest here — that goes on the next line.
For example, Maria’s eviction judgment of $4,275.00 (rent + late fees + court costs) gets entered as $4,275.00.
If the judgment includes a separate award of attorney fees under MCR 2.625, include that amount in this box.
Common mistake: combining principal and interest into one number. The clerk cannot audit the balance and rejects the writ.
Misconception: that statutory costs you paid after judgment (like the writ fee from a prior garnishment) belong on this line. They go under “post‑judgment costs.”
Post-Judgment Interest
This line captures interest that has accrued from the judgment date to the writ date under MCL 600.6013(8).
Use the Treasurer’s six‑month T‑bill rate plus 1%, compounded annually, applied from the judgment date.
For example, if Maria’s $4,275.00 judgment has accrued $181.18 in interest over 14 months at the published rate, she writes $181.18.
If the judgment is on a written contract that fixes a higher rate (up to 13% under MCL 438.31c), use that contractual rate instead.
Common mistake: applying simple interest. Michigan compounds annually, and undercounting interest is a money‑losing error.
Misconception: that interest stops at the writ date. It accrues until the judgment is paid in full; you simply stop the calculation at the writ date for this writ.
Post-Judgment Costs
This line lists costs incurred since the judgment — recording fees, writ fees from prior garnishments, and service fees that the court awarded under MCL 600.2405.
Itemize on a separate sheet if needed and enter the total here.
For example, if Maria has spent $50 on prior writs and a $20 service fee, she writes $70.00.
If you cannot document a cost with a receipt, do not include it. Inflating costs is sanctionable under MCR 1.109(E).
Common mistake: including the new writ fee from this filing. That fee belongs on the post‑judgment costs line of the next writ, not this one.
Misconception: that attorney fees for collection work are recoverable here. They are not unless a statute or contract specifically authorizes them.
Payments and Credits
This line subtracts everything the defendant has paid.
Add up every payment, voluntary or garnished, and enter the total.
For example, if David Johnson made one $400 voluntary payment, Maria writes $400.00.
Apply payments first to costs, then to interest, then to principal under MCL 600.6013(7).
Common mistake: forgetting payments captured by an earlier writ. Double‑counting is the single most common reason garnishees object under MCR 3.101(L).
Misconception: that only voluntary payments count. Every dollar received by the creditor counts, including prior garnishment proceeds.
Balance Due on Judgment (Unsatisfied Balance)
This line is the math result the writ is built around.
Add Total Amount of Judgment + Post‑Judgment Interest + Post‑Judgment Costs, then subtract Payments and Credits.
For example, Maria’s math: $4,275.00 + $181.18 + $70.00 − $400.00 = $4,126.18. She writes $4,126.18.
If the math produces $0 or less, you cannot file — the judgment is satisfied and a Satisfaction of Judgment (MC 08) is required instead.
Common mistake: rounding to whole dollars. The garnishee’s payroll software needs the exact cents.
Misconception: that you can add a “buffer” for future interest. The balance is calculated as of the writ date; future interest accrues automatically.
Verification (Plaintiff/Attorney Signature Block)
This block is a sworn statement that the request is true.
Sign and date in front of a notary or court clerk if the form requires it; many courts now accept e‑signatures through MiFILE under MCR 1.109(D)(3).
For example, Carlos Rivera signs /s/ Carlos Rivera with the date 05/15/2026 and uploads through MiFILE.
If the attorney signs, the attorney must have personal knowledge of the balance — not just rely on the client’s spreadsheet.
Common mistake: signing but forgetting to date. The clerk will reject for an incomplete verification.
Misconception: that an unsigned verification can be cured later. It cannot — an unverified writ is void from issuance.
Writ of Garnishment (Lower Half — Issued by Clerk)
This block is the court’s order to the garnishee. The creditor leaves it blank; the clerk completes the issue date and seal.
Verify after issuance that the Date of Issue is filled, the clerk has signed, and the court seal is affixed.
For example, the clerk writes Issued: 05/16/2026 and stamps the writ; the 91‑day clock starts running.
If the writ comes back without a seal (rare but it happens with paper filings), do not serve it — return it to the clerk.
Common mistake: serving an unsigned writ. The garnishee can ignore it, and you have wasted the disclosure fee.
Misconception: that the clerk can postdate the writ to extend the 91 days. They cannot — issuance is the day signed.
Garnishee Fee
The form recites the $35.00 garnishee fee the creditor must tender with service.
Attach a $35 check payable to the garnishee with the served writ, and note it in the proof of service.
For example, Maria writes a check to Henry Ford Health System for $35.00 and clips it to the served packet.
If the garnishee is a Michigan state agency, the fee is waived under MCL 600.4012(2).
Common mistake: forgetting the fee. The garnishee can refuse to disclose, and the writ becomes a paper tiger.
Misconception: that the $35 is an attorney fee. It is the garnishee’s reimbursement for the time it spends processing the writ.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Three named filers below show how DC 88 lays out across different fact patterns. Each scenario uses a separate two‑column table tied to real Michigan dollar amounts and forms.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez — Detroit Landlord Garnishing a Former Tenant
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Judicial District | 36TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT |
| Case Number | 24‑LT‑00987‑GC |
| Plaintiff | LAKESHORE RENTALS LLC, 88 LAKE ST, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503 |
| Defendant | DAVID T. JOHNSON, 1140 ELM ST, DETROIT, MI 48207, SSN xxx‑xx‑1234 |
| Garnishee | HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM, C/O CSC‑LAWYERS INC, 601 ABBOT RD, EAST LANSING, MI 48823 |
| Judgment Date | 03/14/2025 |
| Total Amount of Judgment | $4,275.00 |
| Post‑Judgment Interest | $181.18 |
| Post‑Judgment Costs | $70.00 |
| Payments and Credits | $400.00 |
| Balance Due on Judgment | $4,126.18 |
| Verification | /s/ Maria Lopez, 05/15/2026 |
Scenario 2: Carlos Rivera — Credit-Card Debt Buyer With a Default Judgment
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Judicial District | 55TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (INGHAM) |
| Case Number | 24‑012345‑GC |
| Plaintiff | MIDWEST RECEIVABLES LLC (ASSIGNEE OF CAPITAL ONE BANK USA NA) |
| Plaintiff’s Attorney | JANET PARK (P54321), PARK COLLECTIONS PLLC, 200 N. WASHINGTON SQ, LANSING, MI 48933 |
| Defendant | EMILY R. CHEN, 442 MAPLE DR, OKEMOS, MI 48864 |
| Garnishee | MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS, C/O SUPERINTENDENT, 4925 DOBIE RD, OKEMOS, MI 48864 |
| Judgment Date | 01/22/2025 |
| Total Amount of Judgment | $8,915.42 |
| Post‑Judgment Interest | $412.06 |
| Balance Due on Judgment | $9,327.48 |
| Verification | /s/ Janet Park, 05/10/2026 |
Scenario 3: Janet Park — Small Business Owner Enforcing a Small-Claims Judgment
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Judicial District | 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ANN ARBOR) |
| Case Number | 25‑00321‑SC |
| Plaintiff | PARK CONSULTING SERVICES LLC, 110 S. MAIN ST, ANN ARBOR, MI 48104 |
| Defendant | MARCUS A. WILLIAMS, 2200 PACKARD ST APT 14, ANN ARBOR, MI 48104 |
| Garnishee | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, C/O OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL, 503 THOMPSON ST, ANN ARBOR, MI 48109 |
| Judgment Date | 02/05/2026 |
| Total Amount of Judgment | $3,200.00 |
| Post‑Judgment Interest | $24.51 |
| Post‑Judgment Costs | $15.00 |
| Payments and Credits | $0.00 |
| Balance Due on Judgment | $3,239.51 |
| Verification | /s/ Janet Park, 05/18/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
DC 88 reaches the clerk through one of three channels. Most Michigan trial courts now require MiFILE for civil filings, but a handful of rural courts still accept paper. Confirm your court’s status on the MiFILE rollout list before choosing.
MiFILE (e‑filing). Log in, select the case, upload the completed PDF, pay the $15 writ fee by credit card, and submit. The clerk reviews within one business day and returns the issued writ as a downloadable PDF. Save the Notice of Electronic Filing as proof of filing. Processing time is typically 1 business day.
Mail. Send the original DC 88, three copies, and a check for $15 made payable to the court to the clerk’s office at the courthouse address from the Trial Court Directory. Include a self‑addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can return the issued writ. Processing time is 5–10 business days. Keep the green certified‑mail receipt as proof of filing.
In person. Bring the original, three copies, the $15 fee in cash, check, or money order, and your photo ID to the clerk’s filing window. The clerk issues the writ over the counter in most courts. Same‑day processing. Get a date‑stamped copy as proof of filing.
After the clerk issues the writ, you have 182 days to serve it on the garnishee under MCR 3.101(D)(2), but the garnishment period is only 91 days from the issue date. Service is by certified mail or personal service through a process server; tender the $35 garnishee fee with service. File a Proof of Service (MC 19) within 7 days under MCR 2.104(A). You must also serve the defendant personally or by first‑class mail within 7 days of serving the garnishee.
What Happens After You File
The garnishee has 14 days from service to file a Garnishee Disclosure (DC 91) under MCR 3.101(H)(1). The disclosure tells the court whether the defendant works there, what the defendant earns, what other writs are queued, and how much will be withheld each pay period.
If the disclosure shows the defendant is employed, the garnishee starts withholding the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage under 15 U.S.C. § 1673. Withheld funds go to the creditor at each pay cycle for 91 days.
The defendant has 14 days from service to file Objections to Garnishment (MC 49). Common objections include exempt income (Social Security, SSI, veterans benefits under 42 U.S.C. § 407), bankruptcy, or a paid‑off judgment. The court schedules a hearing within 14 days of objection.
If the garnishee fails to file the disclosure or fails to withhold, the creditor can move for a default judgment against the garnishee under MCR 3.101(S), making the employer liable for the full unsatisfied balance.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Using an outdated form revision. Result: clerk rejection on filing.
- Wrong case number suffix (GC vs. SC vs. CZ). Result: writ never matched to the case file.
- Listing a DBA instead of the registered legal name. Result: garnishee cannot match payroll.
- Serving the local branch instead of the registered agent. Result: service is void; writ has no effect.
- Using simple interest instead of compounded interest under MCL 600.6013. Result: under‑recovery on every pay cycle.
- Forgetting prior garnishment proceeds in Payments and Credits. Result: defendant objects and the court reduces the balance.
- Missing the $35 garnishee fee at service. Result: garnishee refuses to disclose.
- Filing past the 91‑day window of a prior writ without a new writ. Result: garnishee stops withholding and you collect nothing.
- Skipping the verification signature. Result: writ void from issuance under MCR 3.101(D).
- Failing to serve the defendant within 7 days of the garnishee. Result: writ quashed.
- Listing the wrong court address after a court consolidation. Result: clerk rejection.
- Inflating costs without receipts. Result: sanctions under MCR 1.109(E).
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do pull a fresh DC 88 from SCAO for every filing because revisions change quietly.
- Do verify the garnishee’s registered agent through LARA COFS the day you file.
- Do calculate interest with the current Treasurer rate, compounded annually.
- Do keep a spreadsheet of payments to avoid double‑counting across writs.
- Do file the next DC 88 about 80 days after issuance so the new writ is ready when the old one expires.
- Do serve the defendant promptly after serving the garnishee.
- Don’t use a scanned third‑party version of DC 88; use only the SCAO PDF.
- Don’t include the new $15 writ fee on this writ’s cost line.
- Don’t assume the defendant’s W‑2 employer address works for service.
- Don’t estimate the unsatisfied balance — calculate it to the cent.
- Don’t skip the MC 19 proof of service; without it the writ is procedurally defective.
- Don’t file if the defendant is in active bankruptcy — the automatic stay makes the writ a stay violation.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Filing pro se is allowed in Michigan and the Michigan Legal Help garnishment toolkit walks creditors through DC 88 step by step. But periodic garnishments are math‑intensive and procedure‑heavy, and many creditors hire a collection attorney after one rejected writ.
Pros of filing pro se. – Saves the $200–$500 typical attorney fee per writ. – You control the timing and the negotiation with the defendant. – Free templates from Michigan Legal Help cover most field‑level questions. – MiFILE makes e‑filing accessible to non‑lawyers. – You learn the process and can renew writs efficiently.
Cons of filing pro se. – Interest miscalculations are common and reduce recovery. – Service errors (wrong agent, missed defendant service) can void the writ. – Defendant objections require a court hearing where the creditor must present the math. – Mistakes can trigger sanctions under MCR 1.109(E). – A defective writ wastes the $15 + $35 fees and the 91‑day window.
| Filing Path | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|
| Pro se via MiFILE | Cheapest; works for simple wage writs against in‑state employers. |
| Collection attorney | Best for multi‑defendant portfolios, out‑of‑state garnishees, or contested objections. |
FAQs
Do I file DC 88 in the same court that entered the judgment?
Yes. The issuing court is the court that entered the judgment, unless the judgment was transferred under MCR 4.201(N), in which case file in the receiving court.
Can I use DC 88 to garnish a bank account?
No. DC 88 covers periodic income only. Use Form MC 13 for bank accounts and Form MC 52 for state tax refunds.
Do I write the defendant’s full Social Security number?
No. The form asks only for the last four digits to protect privacy under MCR 1.109(D)(9).
Should the garnishee address be the registered agent or the workplace?
Yes — use the registered agent address from LARA COFS. Service on the workplace branch is generally void under MCR 2.105(D).
Do I include the $15 writ fee on the post‑judgment costs line?
No. The fee for this writ goes on the next writ’s costs line. Including it here double‑counts.
Is post‑judgment interest mandatory?
Yes. MCL 600.6013 entitles the creditor to interest, but you must calculate and enter it; the clerk does not add it.
Can I file DC 88 by mail in Wayne County?
No. Wayne County is on MiFILE, which is mandatory for civil filings; mail is no longer accepted there.
How long is a periodic writ active?
Yes — for 91 days from issuance under MCR 3.101(B)(1)(a)(ii). After 91 days the creditor must file a new DC 88.
Do I need a notary to verify the request?
No — most Michigan courts accept e‑signed verifications through MiFILE under MCR 1.109(D)(3). Paper filings still need a notarized signature.
Can I garnish Social Security or SSI benefits?
No. Federal law under 42 U.S.C. § 407 exempts Social Security and SSI from garnishment for consumer debts.
Should the plaintiff’s attorney sign the verification?
Yes — but only if the attorney has personal knowledge of the unsatisfied balance. Otherwise the plaintiff signs.
Do I have to serve the defendant or just the garnishee?
Yes — both. MCR 3.101(F) requires service on the defendant within 7 days of the garnishee.
Can the employer charge me more than $35?
No. MCL 600.4012 caps the garnishee fee at $35 per writ.
Should I file a new DC 88 if the defendant changes jobs mid‑writ?
Yes. A periodic writ binds only the named garnishee; a new employer requires a new writ.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form DC 122 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form DC 84 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form MC 21 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form MC 31 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form MC 92 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Garnishment Writ + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 570 (w/Examples) + FAQs