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Garnishment Hearing Procedures:
Court Review of Various Concerns Relating to Garnishment
Last Updated: July 02 2026
Question: How can a paralegal or notary help me if I was served with a Notice of Garnishment Hearing in Ontario and I need to dispute or respond within the deadline?
Answer: If you were served with a Notice of Garnishment Hearing in Ontario (Small Claims Court), VP Legal Services & Notary can help you understand your options under the Rules of the Small Claims Court, including how to request a garnishment hearing (Form 20Q) within the required timeframe and what issues the court may consider, such as varying or suspending periodic payments and determining the rights and liabilities of the garnishee, debtor, and any co-owner of debt, and a team member can also help you prepare the documents and organize your facts for the hearing so you can respond properly and protect your position. For paralegal and notary support across Ontario, contact (437) 286-1499 to book a free 1/4 hour consultation.
Reviewing Garnishment Concerns
A Garnishment Hearing may be held for the purpose of addressing disputes arising from a garnishment issue of concern as relating to a Creditor, a Debtor, a Garnishee, a Co-Owner of Debt, or any other person with a genuine legal interest.
The request for a Garnishment Hearing, regardless of the person with standing seeking to initiate the hearing, occurs by issuing and the Notice of Garnishment Hearing (Form 20Q) and serving the Notice of Garnishment Hearing (Form 20Q) upon all proper persons. As above, the persons who may have proper standing to initiate a Garnishment Hearing, and the purpose of the hearing may vary. Specifically, the persons who may initiate a Garnishment Hearing, the purpose of the Garnishment Hearing, and the powers of a Judge at a Garnishment Hearing, are addressed by the Rules of the Small Claims Court, O. Reg. 258/98, wherein it is stated:
Garnishment Hearing
20.08 (15) At the request of a creditor, debtor, garnishee, co-owner of the debt or any other interested person, the clerk shall fix a time and place for a garnishment hearing.
Service of Notice of Garnishment Hearing
(15.1) After having obtained a hearing date from the clerk, the party requesting the garnishment hearing shall serve the notice of garnishment hearing (Form 20Q) in accordance with subrule 8.01 (9).
Powers of Court at Hearing
(15.2) At the garnishment hearing, the court may,
(a) if it is alleged that the garnishee’s debt to the debtor has been assigned or encumbered, order the assignee or encumbrancer to appear and state the nature and particulars of the claim;
(b) determine the rights and liabilities of the garnishee, any co-owner of the debt, the debtor and any assignee or encumbrancer;
(c) vary or suspend periodic payments under a notice of garnishment; or
(d) determine any other matter in relation to a notice of garnishment.
Time to Request Hearing
(16) A person who has been served with a notice to co-owner of debt is not entitled to dispute the enforcement of the creditor’s order for the payment or recovery of money or a payment made by the clerk unless the person requests a garnishment hearing within 30 days after the notice is sent.
Conclusion
A Garnishment Hearing may e used for various purposes including to vary the sum payable in the garnishment of wages, to determine the rights and duties of a garnishee including the seeking of a garnishment absolute Order against a Garnishee, among other things.
NOTE: A considerable volume of inquiries featuring “lawyers near me” or “best lawyer in” typically indicates a requirement for prompt and proficient legal assistance rather than a specific type of legal professional. In Ontario, licensed paralegals are governed by the same Law Society that regulates lawyers and are permitted to represent clients in specific litigation matters. Advocacy, legal analysis, and procedural expertise are fundamental to this position. VP Legal Services & Notary provides legal representation within its licensed parameters, focusing on strategic positioning, evidentiary preparation, and compelling advocacy with the goal of securing efficient and advantageous resolutions for clients.
