Objection to Garnishment (Michigan Form MC 49)
If your wages or bank account are being garnished and one of the legal grounds applies, there is a short window to object — and it closes fast.
Important: Clear Path Document Services is a non-attorney document preparation service and cannot provide legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created. Read full disclaimer
Quick Answer
In Michigan, you object to a garnishment by filing form MC 49, Objections to Garnishment and Notice of Hearing, with the court that issued the writ — generally within 14 days after you are served with the writ or the written statement you're objecting to. The grounds are specific: the funds are exempt from garnishment by law, there's a bankruptcy, you already have an installment payment order, the maximum allowed is already being withheld under another order, the judgment has been paid, or the writ was improperly issued or is invalid. You cannot object simply because you disagree with the judgment or can't afford to pay. Clear Path prepares the objection and the hearing paperwork; we are not a law firm and do not appear for you.
Who qualifies for this service?
This document preparation service is a fit for Michigan residents who match the criteria below. If your situation is different, contact us and we'll tell you whether we can help or whether you should speak with an attorney.
- People whose wages are being garnished under a Michigan writ
- People whose bank account was frozen by a nonperiodic writ
- Anyone whose garnished funds are exempt — Social Security, SSI, most public assistance, and other protected income
- Debtors who already have an installment payment order from the court
- People already at the maximum withholding under a different court order
- Anyone who paid the judgment or believes the writ was issued on wrong information
How the process works
Clear, predictable steps from intake to court-ready paperwork.
Send us the writ
The writ of garnishment, the date you were served, and the court and case number.
We review your matter
We identify which grounds on MC 49 actually fit your situation and what proof supports them.
Written quote
Flat preparation fee, quoted fast because the deadline is short. Nothing is purchased online.
Objection prepared
Form MC 49 completed with your grounds, plus the notice of hearing.
Filing and service packet
Exactly who to serve, how, and by when — plaintiff, plaintiff's attorney, and garnishee.
Hearing checklist
What to bring and what the court will expect you to show.
Paperwork we organize for you
Document preparation only. We do not represent you in court.
Documents and information you'll need
- The writ of garnishment you received (form MC 12, MC 13, or MC 52)
- The date you were served
- Court name, case number, and plaintiff's name
- Proof of any exempt income — Social Security, SSI, unemployment, public assistance award letters
- Bank statements if a bank account was garnished
- Any installment payment order, bankruptcy filing, or payoff proof you have
Common mistakes to avoid
Small errors can cost you weeks. Here's what we see most often.
- Missing the deadline — it is generally 14 days from service, and it is not extended because you were confused.
- Objecting because you disagree with the underlying judgment, which is not a valid ground on this form.
- Filing in the wrong court instead of the court that issued the writ.
- Not serving the plaintiff, the plaintiff's attorney, and the garnishee with copies.
- Mixing exempt income with other money in one bank account, which makes proving the exemption harder.
- Skipping the hearing after filing, which typically ends the objection.
Local Michigan considerations
Michigan garnishments run under MCR 3.101 and the state's MC-series forms. Periodic writs reach wages and other recurring payments; nonperiodic writs reach bank accounts and one-time funds. The exemptions are listed on the back of your writ — Social Security, SSI, most public assistance, and certain other income are protected, but protection is much easier to prove when exempt money sits in its own account rather than mixed with wages. Objections go to the court that issued the writ, and every Michigan district court runs its garnishment docket a little differently. Because the window is roughly two weeks, call or text (833) 777-FILE (3453) the day you're served rather than waiting.
Key Terms
- Writ of garnishment
- The court order directing a third party — your bank or employer — to turn over money to satisfy a judgment.
- Garnishee
- The third party holding your money: your employer for wages, your bank for accounts.
- Periodic garnishment
- A garnishment of recurring payments such as wages, salary, commissions, or rent.
- Nonperiodic garnishment
- A one-time garnishment of funds such as a bank account balance or a tax refund.
- Exempt funds
- Money protected from garnishment by law, including Social Security, SSI, and most public assistance.
- MC 49
- Michigan's Objections to Garnishment and Notice of Hearing form.
People Also Ask
Reviewed and updated by the Clear Path document team. Informational only — not legal advice.
Ready to get your paperwork started?
Start the guided intake, or call or text us — we review every matter before quoting a price, and nothing is purchased online.