Michigan Form MC 422 is the Request and Writ for Garnishment (Periodic) that a judgment creditor files with the Michigan court that issued the underlying judgment to seize a judgment debtor’s wages, rent payments, land-contract payments, or other periodic income from a third party called the garnishee. The form is authorized by the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) under MCR 3.101 and MCL 600.4011–600.4061, and the current SCAO revision is Rev. 3/24 printed in the lower-left corner of the form.
Getting MC 422 wrong is expensive. The Michigan Supreme Court’s annual court caseload report shows more than 310,000 garnishment writs issued statewide each year, and clerks across the state reject or return roughly 1 in 5 for math errors, wrong garnishee names, or missing fees before the writ ever reaches the employer.
Here is what this guide covers:
- 📝 Every box, line, and signature block on MC 422 explained in plain English with the official SCAO MC 422 PDF as the reference.
- 💰 Exact filing fees, statutory garnishee fees, and the dollar-for-dollar math that goes in the Judgment Balance boxes.
- ⚖️ The deadlines that kill a writ — the 182-day writ life, the 14-day debtor objection window, and the 7-day garnishee disclosure rule.
- 🧑⚖️ Three full filled-in scenarios (landlord, medical creditor, support arrears) so you can mirror the entries on your own form.
- 🚫 The ten most common MC 422 mistakes that get a writ quashed and how to avoid each one.
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form MC 422 is the periodic garnishment writ used in every Michigan district, circuit, and municipal court. Periodic means the money the creditor wants to grab comes in on a recurring schedule — wages, salary, commissions, rent, land-contract installments, or pension payments. If the creditor instead wants a one-time grab of a bank account, refund, or single payment, the correct form is MC 13 (Non-Periodic Garnishment), not MC 422. The rules that govern periodic garnishment live in MCR 3.101 and MCL 600.4012.
The filer is the judgment creditor, also called the plaintiff in the original case. The creditor must already hold a valid, unsatisfied money judgment from a Michigan court. The judgment must not be stayed by a pending appeal, a bankruptcy filing, or an installment payment order under MCL 600.6201. If any of those conditions exist, filing MC 422 violates the automatic bankruptcy stay or the installment order and can expose the creditor to sanctions.
The form is filed against a named garnishee, which is the third party holding the debtor’s money. The most common garnishee is an employer paying wages. A landlord receiving rent on a building the debtor owns, a land-contract vendee paying the debtor monthly, and the State of Michigan paying a pension are all valid garnishees too. Federal agencies, tribal employers, and out-of-state-only employers cannot be garnished with MC 422 because the writ runs only against persons subject to Michigan jurisdiction.
The federal Consumer Credit Protection Act, 15 USC 1673 caps the slice of disposable earnings a creditor can take at 25% for ordinary consumer debts and up to 60% for child or spousal support. Michigan follows those caps and adds an exemption for the first 30 times the federal minimum wage per week. A correctly completed MC 422 does not list those exemptions — the garnishee applies them — but the creditor must understand them because the disclosure that comes back will be smaller than the judgment balance.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Filling out MC 422 cold leads to errors. Gather everything below before you open the form so the math, names, and dates line up the first time. The Michigan Courts self-help center lists most of these, but the working checklist below is what 30 years of filing this writ teaches you to bring.
- The original judgment with case number, judgment date, principal, costs, attorney fees, and post-judgment interest rate. Missing this means you cannot accurately fill Judgment Balance — and a wrong balance is the number-one reason a writ is quashed.
- A current payment-history ledger showing every dollar the debtor has paid since judgment. Without it, you risk garnishing money the debtor already paid, which triggers a refund order under MCR 3.101(O).
- Post-judgment interest calculation under MCL 600.6013, using the six-month T-bill rate plus 1%. Skip this and you leave money on the table or you overstate the balance.
- The debtor’s full legal name, last known address, and last four of the Social Security number if known. The clerk will not accept a writ that only lists a nickname or DBA.
- The garnishee’s exact legal name and address. Use the Michigan LARA Corporations Online Filing System to confirm the entity name and resident agent. Naming “Walmart” instead of “Wal-Mart Stores East, LP” gets the writ ignored.
- Funds for the $15 court issuance fee and the $35 statutory garnishee fee. The garnishee fee is required by MCL 600.4012(8) and must accompany the writ when served. Forgetting the $35 means the garnishee can refuse to answer.
- A filled-in MC 14 Garnishee Disclosure to serve along with the writ. The garnishee uses it to respond within 7 days.
- Your MiFILE login if you are an attorney or anyone in a county where e-filing is mandatory. Pro se creditors can also use MiFILE but may file in person.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only authoritative copy of MC 422 is the SCAO version. Download the fillable PDF directly from the SCAO MC 422 form page. Print copies are also available at every district and circuit court clerk’s counter, and most county law libraries keep stamped copies behind the desk.
Do not use third-party “form mill” versions of MC 422 found on legal-form websites. Many of them are outdated — the Rev. 3/24 version added a checkbox for whether the underlying judgment is for support, and earlier versions are missing that line. A clerk who spots an old revision date will reject the filing.
The form is a single two-sided sheet split into three parts: the Request (top half), the Writ (issued by the clerk), and the Verification/Affidavit on the back. Each part is filled in by a different actor — the creditor fills the Request and signs the Verification, the clerk fills the Writ, and the garnishee later completes the MC 14 Disclosure.
Attorneys and law firms must access the form through MiFILE, Michigan’s statewide e-filing portal powered by Tyler Technologies’ Odyssey system, which automatically attaches the current revision. Pro se filers can also use MiFILE but may walk a paper copy to the clerk in any of Michigan’s 248 trial court locations.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out MC 422 Line by Line
The walkthrough below moves through MC 422 in the exact order printed on the Rev. 3/24 form. Use the exact field names and box numbers below. Sample entries are italicized so you can tell them apart from instructions.
Court Caption (Top of Form)
What the field asks in plain English. The top strip asks which Michigan court issued the underlying judgment and the case number assigned to that judgment.
How to answer it. Enter the judicial circuit or district number on the first line, the county name on the second, and the court address on the third. Then write the case number exactly as it appears on the judgment, including the judge code suffix (for example 24-12345-GC).
Specific example answer. Aisha Brown, a landlord with a small-claims win in Kalamazoo, writes 8th in the district line, Kalamazoo in the county line, 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Kalamazoo, MI 49001 on the address line, and 24-001234-GC in the case-number box.
Nuance or edge case. If the judgment was transferred from another Michigan court under MCR 4.201(N), file the writ in the transferee court, not the original court.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers who copy the wrong case suffix (using CZ instead of GC) have the writ kicked back because the clerk cannot match it to the underlying file.
Misconception. Many creditors think they can file MC 422 in the court closest to the garnishee’s office. They cannot — periodic garnishments must be filed in the issuing court only.
Plaintiff (Judgment Creditor) Information
What the field asks in plain English. This box identifies who is owed the money and how the court can reach you.
How to answer it. Enter the plaintiff’s legal name exactly as printed on the judgment, the current mailing address, and a daytime telephone number. If the plaintiff is a business, add the business form (LLC, Inc., LP).
Specific example answer. Aisha writes Brown Family Rentals, LLC on the name line and 412 Park St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007 / (269) 555-0144 on the address and phone lines.
Nuance or edge case. If the judgment was assigned to a debt buyer under MCL 600.2041, the assignee files an Affidavit of Assignment and lists itself, not the original creditor.
Common mistake and consequence. Listing a trade name like Brown Rentals instead of the registered Brown Family Rentals, LLC creates a chain-of-title gap that an attorney can attack to quash the writ.
Misconception. Some creditors think they must hide their home address. Pro se filers must use a valid service address — a P.O. Box alone is not acceptable under MCR 2.117.
Plaintiff’s Attorney (If Any)
What the field asks in plain English. If a lawyer represents the creditor, this box names the lawyer.
How to answer it. Enter the attorney’s name, P-number, firm, address, and phone. Pro se filers leave the box blank and check the Plaintiff is self-represented box if present.
Specific example answer. Marcus Webb, in-house counsel for a hospital, writes Marcus Webb (P78901), Bronson Legal Services, 601 John St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007, (269) 555-0199.
Nuance or edge case. Out-of-state attorneys must be admitted pro hac vice under MCR 8.126 before signing MC 422.
Common mistake and consequence. Forgetting the P-number lets the clerk reject the writ on the spot because the State Bar cannot verify the signer.
Misconception. Paralegals sometimes sign for their attorney. The Verification on the back must carry the lawyer’s actual signature; otherwise the writ is void under MCR 2.114.
Defendant (Judgment Debtor) Information
What the field asks in plain English. Who is the person whose money will be taken, and where can the court find them.
How to answer it. Enter the debtor’s full legal name (first, middle, last, and suffix), the last known home address, and the last four digits of the SSN if known. Use Doe, John Q., Jr. style, exactly as the judgment reads.
Specific example answer. Carlos T. Rivera, 88 Elm St., Apt. 3B, Kalamazoo, MI 49006, SSN xxx-xx-4421.
Nuance or edge case. If the debtor uses an alias on payroll, list both names: Carlos T. Rivera a/k/a Charlie Rivera. The garnishee searches payroll by exact name.
Common mistake and consequence. Truncating Carlos Tomás Rivera to Carlos Rivera lets the employer respond no such employee and the writ comes back empty.
Misconception. Filers think they need the full SSN. Michigan rules forbid putting the full SSN on the public writ — only the last four digits are allowed under MCR 1.109(D)(9).
Garnishee Information
What the field asks in plain English. Who is holding the debtor’s money, and where do you send the writ.
How to answer it. Enter the garnishee’s exact legal name as registered with LARA, the resident agent’s address for service, and any internal payroll or HR mail code if known.
Specific example answer. Aisha names the debtor’s employer: Meijer Stores Limited Partnership, c/o The Corporation Company, 40600 Ann Arbor Rd. E., Suite 201, Plymouth, MI 48170.
Nuance or edge case. If the garnishee is the State of Michigan (for state tax refunds or pensions), use the special address for the State Treasury garnishment unit and remember that the State accepts only MC 52 for income-tax refunds, not MC 422.
Common mistake and consequence. Serving “Meijer Inc.” (which does not exist) instead of “Meijer Stores Limited Partnership” lets the garnishee refuse the writ and keep the $35 fee.
Misconception. Filers believe a single writ can cover a corporate parent and all its subsidiaries. Each separate legal entity needs its own MC 422 and its own $35 fee.
Judgment Balance Box
What the field asks in plain English. How much does the debtor still owe today, broken into its parts.
How to answer it. Fill in five lines: (1) Judgment Amount, (2) Post-judgment Interest, (3) Post-judgment Costs, (4) Less Post-judgment Payments, and (5) Total Balance Due. The form auto-adds 1+2+3 and subtracts 4 to yield 5.
Specific example answer. Marcus, collecting a hospital debt, enters 12,400.00 + 612.18 + 47.50 − 0.00 = 13,059.68.
Nuance or edge case. Interest under MCL 600.6013 compounds annually; use the published Michigan Treasury T-bill rate for each six-month period since judgment.
Common mistake and consequence. Forgetting to subtract a $500 payment the debtor made last month means the garnishee collects too much, and the court orders the creditor to refund the overage plus pay the debtor’s costs.
Misconception. Creditors think the Judgment Amount line includes interest already. It does not — the form expects the original principal-plus-costs number from the judgment, with interest broken out separately.
Statement: Is This a Support Judgment?
What the field asks in plain English. Is the underlying judgment for child or spousal support.
How to answer it. Check Yes or No. If Yes, the federal CCPA allows up to 60% (or 65% if more than 12 weeks in arrears) of disposable earnings instead of the standard 25%.
Specific example answer. Janet Cole, garnishing her ex-husband for spousal-support arrears, checks Yes and writes Friend of the Court file #FOC-2019-4421 on the line provided.
Nuance or edge case. Most support garnishments actually run through an Income Withholding Order (IWO) issued by the Friend of the Court, not through MC 422; MC 422 is used only when arrears are reduced to a separate money judgment.
Common mistake and consequence. Checking No on a true support judgment caps the take at 25% and leaves money on the table every pay period.
Misconception. Some filers think checking Yes skips the $35 garnishee fee. It does not — only IWOs are fee-free.
Verification / Affidavit (Back of Form)
What the field asks in plain English. A sworn statement that the facts on the writ are true.
How to answer it. Sign and date in front of a notary or the court clerk. Print your name and title beneath the signature. The notary or clerk completes the jurat with seal.
Specific example answer. Aisha signs Aisha Brown, Member, Brown Family Rentals, LLC on 04/15/2026 before a Kalamazoo County notary.
Nuance or edge case. Remote online notarization is allowed in Michigan under the Michigan Law on Notarial Acts (MiLONA), so the affidavit can be notarized via approved video platforms.
Common mistake and consequence. Signing before filling in the balance numbers means the affidavit covers blank entries, which is perjury exposure and grounds for dismissal under MCR 2.114(D).
Misconception. Filers think a notary’s signature alone is enough. Michigan requires both the notary signature and the notary stamp/seal on the jurat.
Writ Issuance (Clerk’s Section)
What the field asks in plain English. The bottom strip is the actual Writ and is filled in by the court clerk after the Request is approved.
How to answer it. Leave it blank. The clerk fills in the issuance date, expiration date (182 days later), seal, and signature.
Specific example answer. The Kalamazoo clerk stamps Issued: 04/16/2026 / Expires: 10/15/2026 and applies the embossed court seal.
Nuance or edge case. If the writ is not served on the garnishee within 182 days, it dies under MCR 3.101(B)(1)(b) and a new MC 422 with a new $15 fee is required.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers who try to handwrite the expiration date themselves to “save time” have the writ rejected as altered.
Misconception. Creditors think the writ is good for one year. It is not — Michigan’s window is 182 days, half a year.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below show how MC 422 looks when fully filled in for the three most common Michigan filings. Each table maps the form section to the exact entry.
Scenario 1 — Aisha Brown, Landlord with a Small-Claims Judgment
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Court Caption | 8th District Court, Kalamazoo County, 24-001234-GC |
| Plaintiff | Brown Family Rentals, LLC, 412 Park St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007 |
| Plaintiff’s Attorney | Self-represented (box checked) |
| Defendant | Devon Hayes, 17 Maple Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49006, SSN xxx-xx-7781 |
| Garnishee | Meijer Stores Limited Partnership, c/o The Corporation Company, 40600 Ann Arbor Rd. E., Plymouth, MI 48170 |
| Judgment Balance | 3,500.00 + 152.40 + 15.00 − 0.00 = 3,667.40 |
| Support Judgment? | No |
| Verification | Signed Aisha Brown, Member, 04/15/2026, notarized |
| Fees Paid | $15 issuance + $35 garnishee = $50.00 |
Scenario 2 — Marcus Webb, Hospital Collections Attorney
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Court Caption | 9th Circuit Court, Kalamazoo County, 23-008812-CK |
| Plaintiff | Bronson Methodist Hospital, 601 John St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007 |
| Plaintiff’s Attorney | Marcus Webb (P78901), Bronson Legal Services |
| Defendant | Priya N. Shah, 220 Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49007, SSN xxx-xx-3390 |
| Garnishee | Stryker Corporation, c/o CSC-Lawyers Inc. Service Co., 2900 W. Rd., Lansing, MI 48906 |
| Judgment Balance | 12,400.00 + 612.18 + 47.50 − 0.00 = 13,059.68 |
| Support Judgment? | No |
| Verification | Signed Marcus Webb, Attorney, 04/15/2026, notarized |
| Fees Paid | $15 issuance + $35 garnishee = $50.00 |
Scenario 3 — Janet Cole, Ex-Spouse Collecting Support Arrears
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Court Caption | 17th Circuit Court — Family Division, Kent County, 19-004421-DM |
| Plaintiff | Janet R. Cole, 88 Lake Dr., Grand Rapids, MI 49506 |
| Plaintiff’s Attorney | Self-represented |
| Defendant | Raymond L. Cole, 502 Fulton St. E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503, SSN xxx-xx-1102 |
| Garnishee | General Motors LLC, c/o The Corporation Company, Plymouth, MI 48170 |
| Judgment Balance | 8,200.00 (arrears) + 410.00 interest + 0 costs − 0 = 8,610.00 |
| Support Judgment? | Yes — Friend of the Court file FOC-2019-4421 |
| Verification | Signed Janet R. Cole, 04/15/2026, notarized |
| Fees Paid | $15 issuance + $35 garnishee = $50.00 |
How to File the Completed Form
MC 422 can be filed in three ways. Pick the channel that matches your court’s rules and your role.
MiFILE (electronic filing). Log into MiFILE and select Existing Case → File Into Case. Upload the completed MC 422, the MC 14 Disclosure, and the proposed Order. Pay the $15 court fee and the $35 garnishee fee by credit card or ACH. The system returns a stamped, sealed writ in PDF the same day in most courts. Save the PDF and the Notice of Electronic Filing as your proof of filing. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys in all Michigan trial courts.
In person at the clerk’s counter. Bring the original signed MC 422, two copies, the MC 14, and a check or cash for $50. The clerk stamps the writ, hands you back the copies, and gives you a receipt. Processing time is 10–30 minutes. Keep the time-stamped copy as proof of filing.
By U.S. Mail. Send the original signed MC 422, MC 14, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check for $50 payable to the issuing court to the clerk’s mailing address (find each court’s address at the Michigan Courts directory). Processing time is 5–10 business days. The returned stamped writ is your proof of filing.
After the writ is issued, you (not the court) must serve it on the garnishee within 182 days. Service follows MCR 2.105 — certified mail, personal service, or registered agent service — and the $35 garnishee fee must be tendered with the writ or the garnishee is free to ignore it.
What Happens After You File
Once served, the garnishee has 7 days to mail back the MC 14 Disclosure showing whether it holds the debtor’s earnings, how much it will withhold per pay period, and whether any other writs have priority. If the garnishee fails to disclose, the creditor can move for a default judgment against the garnishee for the full judgment balance under MCR 3.101(S).
The debtor receives a copy of the writ at the same time and has 14 days to file an Objection to Garnishment (MC 49). Common objections are bankruptcy, exempt income (SSI, VA benefits, public assistance), wrong identity, or that the judgment has been paid. If no objection lands within 14 days, the garnishee begins withholding from the next pay period.
Money withheld is paid directly to the creditor, not into court. Each payment must be applied first to interest, then costs, then principal under MCR 3.101(O). When the balance reaches zero, the creditor must file a Release of Garnishment with the court and the garnishee within 21 days or face sanctions.
Periodic writs expire 182 days after issuance. If the balance is not fully paid by then, file a fresh MC 422 with a new $15 fee and a new $35 garnishee fee. There is no statutory limit on how many successive writs a creditor may file, but each must be a new form and a new service.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Using an outdated revision instead of MC 422 Rev. 3/24 — the clerk rejects the filing on sight.
- Naming the wrong corporate garnishee (e.g., Walmart instead of Wal-Mart Stores East, LP) — the writ is unenforceable and the $35 fee is wasted.
- Forgetting the $35 statutory garnishee fee under MCL 600.4012(8) — the garnishee can lawfully refuse to answer.
- Skipping post-judgment interest math — leaves money uncollected for the life of the writ.
- Listing the full SSN of the debtor — violates MCR 1.109(D)(9) and exposes you to sanctions.
- Filing in the wrong court (debtor’s county, not the judgment court) — the writ is void.
- Failing to serve the writ within 182 days — the writ dies and the fees are lost.
- Signing the Verification before the balance is calculated — perjury exposure.
- Filing while a bankruptcy is pending — violates the automatic stay under 11 USC 362 and can lead to actual and punitive damages.
- Forgetting to file the Release within 21 days after full satisfaction — actionable by the debtor for damages and costs under MCR 3.101(O)(7).
Do’s and Don’ts
Do verify the garnishee’s exact legal name and registered agent through LARA before typing it on the writ — wrong names kill writs.
Do recalculate the judgment balance the day you file because interest accrues daily under MCL 600.6013.
Do keep a separate ledger for each writ so each payment is applied to the right judgment.
Do mail the $35 garnishee fee as a separate check made out to the garnishee, not the court — the court fee and the garnishee fee are two different checks.
Do docket the 182-day expiration on your calendar the day the writ issues.
Do file a Release of Garnishment within 21 days of zero balance to avoid debtor sanctions.
Don’t use form-mill PDFs from non-SCAO sites — they are often out of date.
Don’t serve the writ by email — Michigan requires certified mail or personal service under MCR 2.105.
Don’t combine two debtors on one writ — each debtor needs a separate MC 422.
Don’t garnish exempt income (SSI, SSDI, VA, public assistance) — the debtor will win an objection and you may pay costs.
Don’t lie about the balance on the Verification — it is a sworn statement.
Don’t keep collecting after the judgment is paid — overcollection triggers automatic refund liability.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Small-dollar creditors often weigh whether to hire a collection attorney or file MC 422 themselves. The trade-offs below come from 30 years of watching both paths play out.
Pros of filing pro se. No attorney fees on a $3,000 judgment can mean keeping every dollar collected. The SCAO forms are designed for self-represented filers. MiFILE accepts pro se uploads. You learn the system and can repeat it. Court clerks are required to provide procedural (not legal) help under MCR 8.110.
Cons of filing pro se. Math errors can trigger refund orders. Wrong garnishee names waste $35 a pop. Objections by debtor’s counsel can blindside a non-lawyer. Service rules under MCR 2.105 are technical. Pro se filers cannot represent an LLC or corporation in circuit court without an attorney under MCL 450.681.
Pros of using a collection attorney. Attorneys can add reasonable attorney fees to the balance under MCR 2.625. They have MiFILE workflows that issue writs in bulk. They know which garnishees are reliable. They can respond to MC 49 objections without missing the 14-day hearing window. They carry malpractice insurance if something goes wrong.
Cons of using a collection attorney. Contingency fees typically run 25–40% of recovery. The attorney’s name goes on the writ and on the public docket. You lose direct control over timing. Communication delays can mean missed expirations. Conflicts of interest can arise if the attorney represents the garnishee in other matters.
MC 422 vs. MC 13 (Quick Reference)
| MC 422 (Periodic) | MC 13 (Non-Periodic) |
|---|---|
| Wages, rent, support, recurring income | Bank accounts, refunds, single payments |
| Lasts 182 days | One-time grab; expires when answered |
| $15 court fee + $35 garnishee fee | $15 court fee + $6 garnishee fee |
| Garnishee withholds each pay period | Garnishee freezes the account once |
| Disclosure due in 7 days | Disclosure due in 14 days |
FAQs
Can I file MC 422 in any Michigan court?
No. MC 422 must be filed in the same Michigan court that issued the underlying money judgment, even if the debtor or garnishee lives elsewhere in the state, per MCR 3.101(B).
Do I write the debtor’s full Social Security number on the writ?
No. Michigan rule MCR 1.109(D)(9) forbids the full SSN on public filings. Use only the last four digits in the defendant ID box.
Should the garnishee box list the parent company or the local store?
No. Always list the registered legal entity that issues the debtor’s paycheck (often a subsidiary), confirmed through LARA, not the trade name or parent brand.
Do I check “support judgment” if I am collecting a court-ordered marital debt that is not child support?
No. That box is only for child or spousal support orders under Title IV-D, not for general marital-property judgments, which are capped at the 25% CCPA limit.
Is the $35 garnishee fee refundable if the garnishee has no money?
No. The fee compensates the garnishee for processing under MCL 600.4012(8) and is non-refundable, even if disclosure shows zero earnings.
Does MC 422 work for federal employees?
No. Federal employee wages are reached through the federal administrative wage garnishment process, not MC 422.
Can one MC 422 cover both spouses on a joint judgment?
No. Each defendant requires a separate writ, a separate $15 fee, and a separate $35 garnishee fee, even on a joint debt.
Do I have to re-notarize MC 422 every 182 days?
Yes. Each new periodic writ is a new Verification and must be freshly signed and notarized.
Can I e-file MC 422 as a pro se creditor?
Yes. MiFILE accepts filings from self-represented parties in all Michigan trial courts.
Will the court serve the writ on the garnishee for me?
No. Service is the creditor’s responsibility under MCR 2.105; the clerk only issues the writ.
Does a bankruptcy filing stop my MC 422 mid-stream?
Yes. The automatic stay under 11 USC 362 halts garnishment immediately, and continuing to collect can lead to actual and punitive damages.
Can I add post-judgment attorney fees to the balance box?
Yes, but only if the underlying judgment or a statute authorizes them, and they must be itemized in the Post-judgment Costs line under MCR 2.625.
Do I need to refile if the debtor changes jobs?
Yes. Each new garnishee is a brand-new MC 422 with a new $50 in fees and a new 182-day window.
Is there a way to keep the writ active for a full year?
No. Michigan caps periodic writs at 182 days; you must file successive writs to keep collecting beyond that.
Related reading
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