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Garnishment Hearing Procedures:
Court Review of Various Concerns Relating to Garnishment
Last Updated: July 06 2026
Question: Can a paralegal help me request a garnishment hearing in Ontario, and what steps are required to serve the Notice of Garnishment Hearing (Form 20Q)?
Answer: DefendCharges.ca can help you review your garnishment hearing options under the Small Claims Court rules, confirm who has standing (creditor, debtor, garnishee, co-owner of the debt, or other interested person), and guide you through the practical steps to obtain a hearing date from the clerk and then serve the Notice of Garnishment Hearing (Form 20Q) on all proper parties so your dispute is properly before the court. At the hearing, the court can determine rights and liabilities, vary or suspend periodic payments under the notice of garnishment, and address related garnishment matters. If you were served with a notice to co-owner of debt, you generally must request a garnishment hearing within 30 days after the notice is sent to preserve your ability to dispute enforcement. For a clear next step and document review tailored to your situation in Ontario, call (647) 559-3377 now.
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 quantity of online searches such as “lawyers near me” or “top lawyer in” often indicates a requirement for prompt and competent legal assistance rather than a particular job title. In Ontario, licensed paralegals are governed by the same Law Society that supervises lawyers and have the authority to represent clients in specific litigation issues. Skills in advocacy, legal analysis, and procedure are fundamental to this profession. DefendCharges.ca provides legal representation within its licensed framework, focusing on strategic positioning, evidentiary preparation, and compelling advocacy aimed at attaining effective and advantageous outcomes for clients.
