Last Updated: August 27 2026
If I was served with a Notice of Garnishment Hearing in Ontario, how do I request and prepare for the Small Claims Court garnishment hearing?
In Ontario Small Claims Court, the clerk sets a Garnishment Hearing when a creditor, debtor, garnishee, co-owner of the debt, or other interested person requests it, typically by issuing and serving the Notice of Garnishment Hearing (Form 20Q) on the proper parties; if you were served with a notice as a co-owner of debt, you generally must request the hearing within 30 days after the notice is sent to dispute enforcement. At the hearing, the court may determine rights and liabilities of the garnishee, debtor, and co-owner, vary or suspend periodic payments under the notice of garnishment, and decide other matters related to the notice. Anderson Aylwin Begg & Co. Paralegal team can help you assess deadlines, review what each party must receive, and prepare the issues to raise at the hearing; call (905) 686-8080 for guidance across Ontario.
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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.
Note: Please contact Anderson Aylwin Begg & Co. by phone at: (905) 686-8080 to discuss any specific questions that you may have.
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 number of online searches featuring “lawyers near me” or “best lawyer in” frequently indicate a desire for prompt, competent legal support rather than a particular designation. In Canada, licensed paralegals are governed by the same Law Society that supervises lawyers and are permitted to represent clients in specified litigation issues. Advocacy, legal interpretation, and procedural expertise are fundamental to this role. Anderson Aylwin Begg & Co. provides legal representation within its licensed parameters, focusing on strategic alignment, evidence preparation, and persuasive advocacy aimed at securing efficient and beneficial outcomes for clients.
