Back to Judgment Collection

Discovery in Aid

Supplementary proceedings to locate the debtor's assets for collection.

Pa.R.C.P. 3117

Notice: Judgment collection procedures can be complex and vary by court and county. This information is provided for educational purposes. For guidance specific to your judgment, consult with a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.

Discovery Methods

Interrogatories to Judgment Debtor

Written questions the debtor must answer under oath about their finances.

Employment and income sources
Bank accounts (names, account numbers, balances)
Real property owned
Vehicles owned
Investments and retirement accounts
Debts owed to the debtor by third parties
Business interests

Subpoenas to Third Parties

Compel banks, employers, or others to produce the debtor's financial records.

Bank statements and account information
Employment and payroll records
Investment account statements
Insurance policy information

Debtor's Examination

Oral examination of the debtor under oath about their assets and finances.

Face-to-face questioning about all assets
Follow-up on interrogatory responses
Discovery of hidden or transferred assets

Strategy Tip

Discovery in aid of execution is essential when you don't know what assets the debtor has. Start with interrogatories, then use subpoenas for verification.