Michigan Form MC 21 is the Request and Writ for Garnishment (Periodic) that a judgment creditor files in a Michigan circuit, district, or municipal court to capture a judgment debtor’s recurring income, such as wages, rent, or land contract payments, from a third party called the garnishee. The form is approved by the State Court Administrative Office and is governed by Michigan Court Rule 3.101 and MCL 600.4012.
According to the Michigan Courts annual caseload report, district courts process more than 200,000 garnishment writs each year, and a State Bar of Michigan analysis reports that roughly one in five writs is rejected on the first filing for clerical defects. A small box left blank, a wrong case number, or an expired judgment balance can void the entire writ and force you to pay the $15 issuance fee again.
- 📝 How to complete every box on the current SCAO MC 21 line by line
- 💵 How to calculate the Total Amount of Judgment with interest, costs, and credits
- 🏢 How to identify the right garnishee entity so the writ is not quashed
- 📬 How to serve the writ and file proof through MiFILE or paper
- ⚖️ How to avoid the ten most common errors that trigger objections under MCR 3.101(K)
What Form MC 21 Is and Who Must File It
Michigan Form MC 21 is the official Request and Writ for Garnishment (Periodic) used to reach income that a debtor receives on a recurring schedule. The current version carries the SCAO revision date printed in the lower-left corner, and you should always confirm you are using the latest revision before filing. Filing an older revision is a frequent reason clerks reject the writ at intake, even when the substance is correct.
A periodic garnishment captures payments that repeat, such as wages, salaries, commissions, rent, land contract installments, and certain pension or annuity payments. It is different from a non-periodic writ (MC 13), which targets a one-time asset like a bank account, and from an income tax garnishment (MC 52), which captures a state tax refund.
The judgment creditor files MC 21. That can be a person who won a small claims judgment, a landlord with a money judgment, a hospital, a credit card issuer, a collection law firm, or any business holding a final money judgment from a Michigan court. The debtor never files this form. The garnishee, who is usually the debtor’s employer, also does not file MC 21; the garnishee instead returns a Garnishee Disclosure (MC 14) within 14 days of service, as required by MCR 3.101(H).
You must hold a final, enforceable money judgment to file MC 21. If your judgment is on appeal, stayed, or older than ten years without renewal, the writ will be quashed under MCL 600.5809. Federal law also caps how much income can be taken under the Consumer Credit Protection Act, 15 USC 1673, so the writ does not give the creditor unlimited reach.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Pulling everything together before you open MC 21 prevents the most common rejections. The clerk will not chase missing data, and a single wrong digit in the case number can void the writ. Build the file below in the order it will be entered on the form.
- Court information. The exact court name, county, court address, telephone number, and the original case number from the judgment. Missing or wrong court data sends the writ to the wrong docket and the clerk will reject it.
- Plaintiff (creditor) information. The legal name exactly as it appears on the judgment, current mailing address, and telephone number. A name mismatch with the judgment causes the clerk to question standing.
- Defendant (debtor) information. Full legal name, last known address, and the last four digits of the Social Security number if known. The SSN block helps the garnishee match the writ to the right employee record.
- Garnishee information. The garnishee’s full legal entity name (not the d/b/a), registered agent address from LARA’s Corporations Online Filing System, and main office. A wrong entity name is the single most common defect.
- Judgment math. The original judgment amount, post-judgment interest under MCL 600.6013, taxable costs, prior writ payments received, and the unpaid balance as of the writ date. Without this calculation the Total Amount line will be wrong.
- Filing fee. A $15 writ issuance fee payable to the court, plus the $35 garnishee fee that the debtor ultimately owes under MCL 600.4012(2). Without the fee the clerk will not issue the writ.
- Verification. A signature block ready for the creditor or attorney, because the request portion of MC 21 is a verified statement under penalty of perjury.
- Service plan. The name and address of the process server or registered agent who will serve the garnishee within 91 days, and a stamped envelope or certified mail kit for serving the debtor.
- Prior writ history. A list of any earlier writs against the same debtor and garnishee, because Michigan uses a first in time priority rule under MCR 3.101(G).
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only safe place to download Michigan Form MC 21 is the Michigan Courts SCAO forms library. Third-party legal sites often host outdated revisions, and clerks routinely reject those. Always pull the PDF the day you plan to file so the revision date matches what the court expects.
The form is a fillable PDF. Open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader and type directly into the gray fields. Do not print, hand-write, then scan, because the scanned text is rarely OCR-readable for the court’s case management system, and the writ may be flagged for manual review.
For e-filing courts, you upload the completed MC 21 through MiFILE, Michigan’s TrueFiling-based portal. Most circuit courts and a growing list of district courts now require MiFILE under Administrative Order 2022-9. Confirm your court’s status on the court directory.
For paper filing, print the form single-sided on white 8.5 x 11 paper. Bring the original plus three copies: one for the court file, one for the garnishee, one for the debtor, and one for your own records. Some courts also require a self-addressed stamped envelope for the issued writ to be returned.
If you are filing in a tribal court or a federal court, MC 21 does not apply. Use the issuing court’s own garnishment process. MC 21 is only for Michigan state courts.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form MC 21 Line by Line
The form is divided into three logical zones: the caption, the Request (creditor’s verified statement), and the Writ (the order the court issues to the garnishee). Each zone must be completed in order. Skipping ahead is the second-most common reason for rejection.
Caption: Court Name, County, and Court Address
The caption sits at the very top and tells the world which court has jurisdiction. Enter the full name of the court (for example, 36th District Court), the county (Wayne), and the court’s street address. Use the official address from the Michigan court directory, not the mailing address shown on prior correspondence.
A specific example: Maria Lopez, a small landlord in Detroit, files in the 36th District Court. She enters 36TH DISTRICT COURT on the court line, WAYNE on the county line, and 421 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 on the address line.
The nuance comes up when a court has multiple divisions, such as Oakland County’s 48th District. You must list the specific division (for example, 48th District Court – Bloomfield Hills), or the writ will be routed to the wrong courthouse.
A common mistake on this field is using the county name in place of the court name, which voids the caption because Michigan has both circuit and district courts in every county. The direct consequence is a clerk rejection at intake and loss of your $15 fee if you cannot correct it that day.
A misconception people carry is that the caption can be copied from a prior pleading. Court reorganizations and address changes happen often, so always verify against the current court directory.
Case Number and Judge Assignment
Enter the original case number exactly as printed on the judgment, including any letter prefix or suffix (for example, 24-12345-GC). Then list the judge’s name if assigned. The case number is the single most important data point on the form.
For example, Marcus Reed, a contractor with a $9,800 judgment, copies 24-001284-CK directly from his judgment and writes Hon. Patricia Jamison on the judge line.
The nuance: if the case has been reassigned, use the most recent assigned judge from the court’s online docket. Listing a retired judge does not void the writ but can delay processing.
A common mistake is omitting the suffix code (GC, CK, NF). The clerk’s case management system will not match the writ to the docket, and the writ will sit in the unassigned queue. The consequence is days or weeks of delay, often pushing the writ past its 182-day life.
A misconception is that a small case number error is harmless. It is not, because Michigan courts use a strict one-to-one match.
Plaintiff and Defendant Names and Addresses
Enter the plaintiff’s full legal name and address, then the defendant’s full legal name and last known address. Names must match the judgment exactly. If the judgment was assigned, attach the Assignment of Judgment (MC 17).
For example, Aisha Bennett, a medical billing manager filing for St. Clair Family Health, PLLC, writes the entity name in all caps, then her own address as the contact. The defendant block lists David Carmichael, 1422 Elm St., Lansing, MI 48910.
A nuance arises when the plaintiff is an assignee. List the assignee as plaintiff and reference the assignment on the form. If you skip the reference, the clerk will demand the MC 17 before issuing the writ.
A common mistake is using a d/b/a instead of the legal entity. The garnishee’s legal department will reject the writ as ambiguous and refuse to withhold. The consequence is a wasted writ and renewed fees.
A misconception is that addresses can be left blank if known to the parties. The form requires service-of-process addresses, and a blank address voids service.
Plaintiff’s Attorney Block
If an attorney files, enter the attorney’s name, P-number from the State Bar, firm name, address, telephone, and email. If you are pro se, write In Pro Per in the attorney block and put your own contact information.
For example, Janet Morales, filing pro se, writes In Pro Per on the bar number line and her cell number on the phone line. Garrison & Hale, PLC would instead write P54321 – Thomas Hale, Garrison & Hale, PLC, 100 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49007.
The nuance: a missing P-number on an attorney filing triggers an automatic clerical rejection under MCR 1.109(D).
A common mistake is mixing pro se and attorney information. The clerk cannot tell who represents the plaintiff, and that ambiguity stops the writ.
A misconception is that paralegals can sign here. Only the attorney of record or the pro se party can sign.
Garnishee Name and Address
Enter the garnishee’s exact legal entity name, registered agent address, and any known account or employee identifier. Use the entity name on file with LARA’s business search, not the brand or trade name on the storefront.
For example, if Marcus’s debtor works for a Meijer store, Marcus enters MEIJER, INC., c/o The Corporation Company, 40600 Ann Arbor Rd. E., Ste. 201, Plymouth, MI 48170.
The nuance: large employers often have a designated garnishment processing center. Search the American Payroll Association’s garnishment address list or call HR. Sending the writ to a store manager often means it never reaches payroll.
A common mistake is naming a parent company instead of the actual employer subsidiary. The subsidiary will object on lack of employment relationship, and the court will quash the writ.
A misconception is that any corporate address works. Michigan requires service on the registered agent or an officer for corporate garnishees under MCR 2.105(D).
Total Amount of Judgment
Enter the unpaid judgment balance as of the date you sign the writ. The form provides separate lines for Judgment Balance, Post-Judgment Interest, Post-Judgment Costs, Post-Judgment Payments, and Total. Do the math on a worksheet first.
For example, Maria Lopez has a $4,200 original judgment, $186 in accrued interest under MCL 600.6013(8), $52 in post-judgment costs, and $400 in prior payments. She writes 4,200.00, 186.00, 52.00, 400.00, and a total of 4,038.00.
A nuance is the floating interest rate. The post-judgment interest rate changes every six months, and you must use the rate published by the Michigan Department of Treasury for each period.
A common mistake is forgetting to credit prior writ payments. The debtor will object under MCR 3.101(K), and the court can sanction the creditor for misstating the balance.
A misconception is that you can round up. Round to the cent, and never inflate the balance to cover anticipated costs.
Statutory Garnishee Fee
Check or enter the $35 statutory garnishee fee under MCL 600.4012(2). The creditor pays this to the garnishee at the time of service, and the debtor ultimately owes it as a taxable cost.
For example, Aisha includes a $35 check made payable to Acme Manufacturing Inc. with the served writ. She lists the fee on her ledger so it is added to the debtor’s balance.
The nuance: the fee is per writ, not per pay period. Issuing a fresh writ every 182 days means another $35 to the garnishee.
A common mistake is forgetting to deliver the $35 with service. Without the fee, the garnishee can refuse to process the writ.
A misconception is that the fee is optional. It is mandatory.
Verification and Plaintiff’s Signature
The Request section ends with a verification under penalty of perjury. Sign and date on the signature line. Type or print your name beneath. The signature must be in ink for paper filings or applied through MiFILE’s electronic signature standard for e-filings.
For example, Janet signs Janet Morales in blue ink and dates the form 03/14/2026. She prints her name and writes Plaintiff underneath.
A nuance is that an attorney can sign on behalf of the creditor only if authorized in writing.
A common mistake is signing without dating. An undated verification is treated as no verification, and the writ is voidable.
A misconception is that a digital signature image pasted into the PDF satisfies MiFILE. It does not. You must use the portal’s signature workflow.
Writ Section: Court’s Order to the Garnishee
The lower portion of MC 21 is the Writ, signed by the court clerk or judge. You leave most of it blank for the court to complete, but you must enter the Date Judgment Entered and the Last Day to Serve the Writ (91 days from issuance under MCR 3.101(D)).
For example, Marcus enters 09/02/2024 as the judgment date and leaves the issuance and expiration date for the clerk to stamp.
The nuance: the writ expires 182 days after issuance. Track the date carefully so you can re-file before priority is lost.
A common mistake is filling in the clerk’s signature block. That looks like forgery and the writ will be rejected.
A misconception is that the 91-day service window can be extended on request. It cannot.
Certificate of Service
After service, complete the Certificate of Service on the back or attached page. List who was served, when, where, and how. Sign and file the certificate with the court.
For example, Maria writes Defendant served by first-class mail at 1422 Elm St., Lansing, MI 48910 on 03/16/2026 and Garnishee served by certified mail #7020-1234 on 03/16/2026.
The nuance: the debtor must be served after the writ is served on the garnishee, but within seven days, under MCR 3.101(F)(2).
A common mistake is serving the debtor first. That tips off the debtor and lets them empty wages or quit before the garnishee freezes income.
A misconception is that email service satisfies the rule. It does not for the initial writ.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Each scenario walks one filer through the entire MC 21 with the most important entries shown. Use these as templates, not as legal advice for your own facts.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Small Landlord, $4,038 Wage Garnishment
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Court | 36TH DISTRICT COURT, WAYNE COUNTY |
| Case Number | 24-12345-LT |
| Plaintiff | Maria Lopez, 220 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48216 |
| Defendant | Robert Hayes, 1422 Elm St., Detroit, MI 48201 |
| Attorney | In Pro Per |
| Garnishee | FORD MOTOR COMPANY, c/o The Corporation Company, 40600 Ann Arbor Rd. E., Plymouth, MI 48170 |
| Total Amount | $4,038.00 |
| Judgment Date | 11/04/2025 |
| Verification Signature | Maria Lopez, 03/14/2026 |
| Filing Channel | MiFILE upload, $15 fee, $35 to garnishee |
Scenario 2: Aisha Bennett, Medical Provider, $9,800 Wage Garnishment
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Court | 55TH DISTRICT COURT, INGHAM COUNTY |
| Case Number | 25-002841-GC |
| Plaintiff | ST. CLAIR FAMILY HEALTH, PLLC |
| Defendant | David Carmichael, 1422 Elm St., Lansing, MI 48910, SSN xxx-xx-4421 |
| Attorney | P67890 – Lena Ortiz, Ortiz Health Law PLC |
| Garnishee | DELTA DENTAL OF MICHIGAN, INC., 4100 Okemos Rd., Okemos, MI 48864 |
| Total Amount | $9,800.00 + $312.40 interest + $87 costs − $0 = $10,199.40 |
| Judgment Date | 01/22/2025 |
| Verification Signature | Lena Ortiz, P67890, 03/14/2026 |
| Filing Channel | MiFILE, $15 fee, $35 garnishee fee paid by trust account |
Scenario 3: Garrison & Hale PLC, Collection Firm, Land Contract Income
| Form Section | What the Firm Enters |
|---|---|
| Court | 9TH CIRCUIT COURT, KALAMAZOO COUNTY |
| Case Number | 23-0987-CK |
| Plaintiff | FIRST NATIONAL BANK, assignee of Community Credit Union |
| Defendant | Gregory Tanaka, 8800 Oakland Dr., Portage, MI 49024 |
| Attorney | P54321 – Thomas Hale, Garrison & Hale, PLC |
| Garnishee | Heather Mills (land contract vendee), 4501 Lovers Lane, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 |
| Total Amount | $23,418.62 |
| Judgment Date | 06/15/2023 |
| Attachments | MC 17 Assignment of Judgment |
| Filing Channel | MiFILE, $15 fee, $35 garnishee fee, certified mail service |
How to File the Completed Form
You can file MC 21 four ways depending on the court: electronically through MiFILE, by mail, in person, or, in a small number of district courts, by fax. Each channel has its own rules.
Online via MiFILE. Most circuit and many district courts require electronic filing. Log into MiFILE, select your court, upload the completed PDF, pay the $15 issuance fee plus the MiFILE service fee by credit card or e-check, and download the file-stamped writ when issued. Processing usually takes one to two business days. Your proof of filing is the MiFILE confirmation email.
By mail. Send the original plus three copies, a check for $15 payable to the court, the $35 garnishee fee check payable to the garnishee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope, to the court address listed in the court directory. Use certified mail with return receipt for proof of mailing. Processing time is one to two weeks.
In person. Hand the original plus three copies to the clerk’s window, pay the $15 fee in cash, check, money order, or card, and wait for the clerk to issue the writ. Same-day issuance is common but not guaranteed. Your proof is the file-stamped copy returned at the window.
By fax. A small number of district courts accept fax filings under their local administrative orders. Confirm in advance and prepay the fee. Keep the fax confirmation page as proof.
After issuance, you must serve the writ on the garnishee within 91 days under MCR 3.101(D), then on the debtor within seven days of garnishee service. Service can be by certified mail, registered process server, or sheriff. Keep the green card or process server affidavit forever, because objections can be raised throughout the writ’s 182-day life.
What Happens After You File
Once the court issues the writ, the clerk stamps the Writ portion of MC 21 and assigns an issuance date. The 182-day life of the writ begins on that date under MCR 3.101(B)(1). The garnishee must file a Garnishee Disclosure (MC 14) within 14 days of service.
If the garnishee admits an obligation, it begins withholding the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage, under 15 USC 1673 and Michigan’s parallel rules. The garnishee sends payments directly to the creditor, not the court, unless the court orders otherwise.
The debtor has 14 days from service to file Objections to Garnishment (MC 49). If objections are filed, the court schedules a hearing within 14 days. If no objections come in, withholding continues until the writ is satisfied or expires.
When the balance is paid in full, the creditor must file a Garnishment Release (MC 50) and notify the garnishee to stop withholding. Failing to file a release exposes the creditor to a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act claim under 15 USC 1692.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each error below has voided real writs in Michigan courts. Read them as a final pre-flight check before you click file.
- Using an outdated SCAO revision; the clerk rejects the form at intake.
- Listing a d/b/a instead of the legal entity; the garnishee refuses to withhold.
- Wrong case number suffix; the case management system cannot match the writ.
- Inflated balance; the debtor objects and the court can sanction the creditor.
- Missing post-judgment payments credit; the writ overstates what is owed.
- Skipped verification signature; the writ is voidable on objection.
- Serving the debtor before the garnishee; tips off the debtor and lets income disappear.
- Missing $35 garnishee fee; the garnishee refuses to process the writ.
- Naming a parent corporation instead of the employer subsidiary; the writ is quashed.
- Forgetting to file proof of service; the court cannot enforce default against the garnishee.
- Using an expired judgment older than ten years without renewal; the writ is void on its face.
- Ignoring federal CCPA caps; the debtor wins an objection and the court reduces withholding.
Do’s and Don’ts
The list below distills 30 years of Michigan garnishment practice into quick rules.
- Do download a fresh copy of MC 21 the day you file, because SCAO updates revisions without notice.
- Do verify the garnishee’s legal name through LARA before typing it on the form.
- Do recompute interest and costs to the day you sign the verification.
- Do serve the garnishee first, then the debtor, in that order.
- Do keep certified mail green cards for the full 10-year judgment life.
- Do file a Garnishment Release (MC 50) the moment the balance is paid.
- Don’t sign the writ portion of MC 21; that is the clerk’s job.
- Don’t rely on storefront addresses for corporate garnishees.
- Don’t estimate the balance; round to the cent.
- Don’t file MC 21 against a stayed or appealed judgment.
- Don’t ignore objections; respond within 14 days or the writ can be quashed.
- Don’t send the $35 garnishee fee to the court; it goes to the garnishee.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Filing pro se saves money but raises your error risk. Hiring an attorney or a registered collection agency adds cost but cuts rejection rates significantly.
- Pro: Pro se filing avoids attorney fees on small balances under $2,000.
- Pro: You learn the process and can re-file efficiently if the writ expires.
- Pro: You control timing and service decisions.
- Pro: You keep 100% of the recovery instead of splitting with a collection firm.
- Pro: You can file directly through MiFILE without a middleman.
- Con: A single clerical error can void the writ and waste the $15 fee.
- Con: You must track post-judgment interest manually each period.
- Con: You must respond to debtor objections under tight deadlines.
- Con: You handle all service logistics and proof.
- Con: You are personally exposed to FDCPA-style claims if the writ is mishandled.
Periodic vs. Non-Periodic Garnishment in Michigan
| Feature | Periodic (MC 21) |
|---|---|
| Target | Recurring income such as wages, rent, land contract |
| Life of Writ | 182 days from issuance |
| Garnishee Disclosure Form | MC 14, due in 14 days |
| Statutory Fee to Garnishee | $35 |
| Federal Cap | 25% of disposable earnings (CCPA) |
| Common Use | Employer wage garnishment |
| Feature | Non-Periodic (MC 13) |
|---|---|
| Target | One-time asset such as a bank account |
| Life of Writ | 91 days from issuance |
| Garnishee Disclosure Form | MC 14, due in 14 days |
| Statutory Fee to Garnishee | $35 |
| Federal Cap | Account balance, no CCPA cap |
| Common Use | Bank account levy |
FAQs
Can I file MC 21 if my judgment is from another state?
No. You must first domesticate the foreign judgment in a Michigan court under the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act, then file MC 21 using the new Michigan case number.
Do I need an attorney to file MC 21?
No. Pro se creditors can file, but attorneys must list a P-number. Errors in pro se writs are common, so consider help when balances are large.
How long does the writ stay active?
Yes, for 182 days from issuance under MCR 3.101(B)(1). After that, you must file a fresh MC 21 and pay another $15 issuance fee to continue garnishing.
Do I write the defendant’s full Social Security number in the SSN box?
No. Enter only the last four digits, per MCR 1.109(D). Writing the full SSN exposes the debtor’s identity and can trigger sanctions.
Can I list a d/b/a name as the garnishee?
No. Always use the legal entity name from LARA. A d/b/a alone gives the garnishee grounds to refuse to withhold.
What if the debtor’s address is unknown for Box 3?
Yes, you may write Last known address and list the most recent address you have. Then attempt service by alternate means under MCR 2.105(I).
Do I sign the Writ portion at the bottom of MC 21?
No. Only the court clerk or judge signs the writ portion. Filers sign the Request and verification only.
Can I include attorney fees in the Total Amount line?
Yes, but only fees already taxed and entered as costs in the judgment. Untaxed fees cannot inflate the balance.
Is the $35 garnishee fee the same as the court filing fee?
No. The $15 court fee goes to the clerk; the $35 fee goes to the garnishee at service under MCL 600.4012(2).
What if my garnishee is a Michigan state agency?
No, state agencies follow the State Tax Garnishment process (MC 52), not MC 21. Wages from state employees still use MC 21.
Can I e-sign MC 21 in MiFILE?
Yes, through MiFILE’s built-in signature workflow. A pasted image signature does not satisfy the rule.
Do I have to refile if the debtor changes jobs?
Yes. A writ runs against one garnishee. A new employer requires a new MC 21, a new $15 fee, and a new $35 garnishee fee.
What happens if the garnishee ignores the writ?
Yes, the creditor can move for a default judgment against the garnishee for the entire judgment balance under MCR 3.101(S). Garnishees who ignore writs face full liability.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form DC 122 (w/Examples) + FAQs
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- How to Fill Out Michigan Form MC 22 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form MC 23 (w/Examples) + FAQs
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