(a) Availability. Subject to the provisions of Rule 2-645.1, this Rule governs garnishment of any property of the judgment debtor, other than wages subject to Rule 2-646 and a partnership interest subject to a charging order, in the hands of a third person for the purpose of satisfying a money judgment. Property includes any debt owed to the judgment debtor, whether immediately payable or unmatured.

(b) Issuance of Writ. The judgment creditor may obtain issuance of a writ of garnishment by filing in the same action in which the judgment was entered a request that contains (1) the caption of the action, (2) the amount owed under the judgment, (3) the name and last known address of each judgment debtor with respect to whom a writ is requested, and (4) the name and address of the garnishee. Upon the filing of the request, the clerk shall issue a writ of garnishment directed to the garnishee.

(c) Content. The writ of garnishment shall:

(d) Service. The writ shall be served on the garnishee in the manner provided by Chapter 100 of this Title for service of process to obtain personal jurisdiction and may be served in or outside the county. Promptly after service upon the garnishee, the person making service shall mail a copy of the writ to the judgment debtor's last known address. Proof of service and mailing shall be filed as provided in Rule 2-126. Subsequent pleadings and papers shall be served on the creditor, debtor, and garnishee in the manner provided by Rule 1-321.

(e) Answer of Garnishee. The garnishee shall file an answer within the time provided by Rule 2-321. The answer shall admit or deny that the garnishee is indebted to the judgment debtor or has possession of property of the judgment debtor and shall specify the amount and nature of any debt and describe any property. The garnishee may assert any defense that the garnishee may have to the garnishment, as well as any defense that the judgment debtor could assert. After answering, the garnishee may pay any garnished indebtedness into court and may deliver to the sheriff any garnished property, which shall then be treated as if levied upon by the sheriff. A garnishee who has filed an answer admitting indebtedness to the judgment debtor or possession of property of the judgment debtor is not required to file an amended answer solely because of an increase in the garnishee's indebtedness to the judgment debtor or the garnishee's receipt of additional property of the debtor.

(f) When No Answer Filed. If the garnishee fails to file a timely answer, the judgment creditor may proceed pursuant to Rule 2-613 for a judgment by default against the garnishee.

(g) When Answer Filed. If the garnishee files a timely answer, the matters set forth in the answer shall be treated as established for the purpose of the garnishment proceeding unless the judgment creditor files a reply contesting the answer within 30 days after its service. If a timely reply is not filed, the court may enter judgment upon request of the judgment creditor, the judgment debtor, or the garnishee. If a timely reply is filed to the answer of the garnishee, the matter shall proceed as if it were an original action between the judgment creditor as plaintiff and the garnishee as defendant and shall be governed by the rules applicable to civil actions.

(h) Interrogatories to Garnishee. The judgment creditor may serve interrogatories directed to the garnishee pursuant to Rule 2-421. The interrogatories shall contain a notice to the garnishee that, unless answers are served within 30 days after service of the interrogatories or within the time for filing an answer to the writ, whichever is later, the garnishee may be held in contempt of court. The interrogatories shall also inform the garnishee that the garnishee must file a notice with the court pursuant to Rule 2-401 (d) at the time the answers are served. If the garnishee fails to serve timely answers to interrogatories, the court, upon petition of the judgment creditor and proof of service of the interrogatories, may enter an order in compliance with Rule 15-206 treating the failure to answer as a contempt and may require the garnishee to pay reasonable attorney's fees and costs.

(i) Release of Property; Claim by Third Person. Before entry of judgment, the judgment debtor may seek release of the garnished property in accordance with Rule 2-643, except that a motion under Rule 2-643 (d) shall be filed within 30 days after service of the writ of garnishment on the garnishee. Before entry of judgment, a third person claimant of the garnished property may proceed in accordance with Rule 2-643 (e).

(j) Judgment. The judgment against the garnishee shall be for the amount admitted plus any amount that has come into the hands of the garnishee after service of the writ and before the judgment is entered, but not to exceed the amount owed under the creditor's judgment against the debtor and enforcement costs.

(l) Statement of Satisfaction. Upon satisfaction by the garnishee of a judgment entered against it pursuant to section (j) of this Rule, the judgment creditor shall file a statement of satisfaction setting forth the amount paid. If the judgment creditor fails to file the statement of satisfaction, the garnishee may proceed under Rule 2-626.

Source: This Rule is derived as follows:

Section (a) is new but is consistent with former Rules G47 a and G50 a.

Section (b) is new.

Section (c) is new.

Section (d) is in part derived from former Rules F6 c and 104 a (4) and is in part new.

Section (e) is in part new and in part derived from former Rule G52 a and b.

Section (f) is new.

Section (g) is new.

Section (h) is derived from former Rule G56.

Section (i) is new.

Section (j) is new.

Section (k) is new.

Section (l) is new.