Michigan Garnishment Costs and Fees: What You'll Spend to Collect

Every garnishment filing in Michigan costs real money up front, and many creditors underestimate the total when they're trying to collect a small claims judgment. The good news: every legitimate enforcement cost gets added to the debtor's balance. The key is knowing exactly what each step costs so you can include the right numbers in your sworn balance.

Court Filing Fees

Every garnishment writ costs $15 to file with the district court clerk, regardless of type:

• Wage garnishment (Form MC 12): $15
• Bank account garnishment (Form MC 13): $15
• State tax refund intercept (Form MC 52): $15
• Debtor examination subpoena (Form MC 11): $15
• Property seizure order (Form MC 19): $15
• Judgment lien certification (Form MC 94): $15

This fee is paid when you file the form with the court, before the clerk issues the writ.

Statutory Disclosure Fees

These are paid directly to the garnishee — the party you're serving the writ on — not to the court:

• Employer or private bank: $35 per writ served (MCL 600.4012(12))
• State of Michigan as garnishee (Department of Treasury for tax intercepts, or state agencies as employers): $6 per writ served (MCL 600.4061(3)(b))

The disclosure fee compensates the garnishee for the administrative work of processing the writ, completing the Garnishee Disclosure (Form MC 14), and managing the withholding.

Service and Process Fees

Someone has to deliver the writ to the garnishee. For most garnishments, service can be through a process server or certified mail. Typical costs:

• Process server personal service: $38 base fee (MCL 600.2559)
• Mileage: $1.0875 per mile for court officers
• Certified mail: varies by distance, typically $7–$12

For debtor examinations (Form MC 11), personal service is mandatory — you cannot serve by mail. Add the $38 service fee plus mileage and the statutory witness fee ($12 for a full-day appearance, $6 for a half day).

For property seizure (Form MC 19), the court officer or sheriff charges a $55 levy fee plus mileage. You also advance actual expenses for towing, storage, appraisal, and auction advertising.

Total Cost Per Enforcement Action

Here's what a single round of each tool typically costs:

Recovering Your Costs

Every allowable enforcement cost gets added to the balance the debtor owes. When you fill out the sworn balance on Item 2 of a garnishment writ, you include:

1. Original judgment principal
2. Accrued post-judgment interest under MCL 600.6013
3. All court filing fees, service fees, and disclosure fees spent on collection
4. Minus credits for payments received

Payments from the debtor are applied in order: first to accrued costs, then to interest, then to principal. This means you recover your enforcement expenses before the principal balance starts decreasing.

When Collection Costs Don't Make Sense

For very small judgments, the math can work against you. If you owe a $500 judgment and spend $88 on a bank garnishment that comes back empty (the account had no funds), you've just increased your out-of-pocket costs with nothing to show for it. Consider the debtor's likely assets before choosing your enforcement tool, and use the debtor examination ($65) first to find out what's actually collectible.

For a complete fee tracking system and guidance on when each tool is cost-effective, the Michigan Judgment Collection Roadmap includes ledger worksheets that keep your sworn balance accurate.

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