Section 35-12-4 - Garnishment; answer by garnishee. - New Mexico Statutes

35-12-4. Garnishment; answer by garnishee.

A.     If the garnishee answers under oath that he is not at the time of answer, and was not, at the time the garnishment was served on him, indebted to the defendant or in possession of any personal property of the defendant, and if the garnishee's answer is not controverted within twenty days after being made, the magistrate shall enter judgment discharging the garnishee.   

B.     If the garnishee fails to answer the garnishment under oath within twenty days from the date of its service on him, the magistrate may render judgment by default against the garnishee for the full amount of any judgment rendered against the defendant, together with all interest and costs.   

C.     If the garnishee answers under oath or it appears on trial of the issue that he was, at the time of answer or at the time the garnishment was served, indebted to the defendant or in possession of any personal property of the defendant, the magistrate shall render judgment for the plaintiff against the garnishee for the amount admitted or found due to the defendant or so much thereof as equals the plaintiff's judgment against the defendant. If the garnishee is indebted to the defendant for wages or salary, the magistrate shall render judgment for the plaintiff against the garnishee only for the amount of wages or salary due the defendant in excess of the amount of wages or salary exempt from garnishment under Section 35-12-7 NMSA 1978 or so much thereof as equals the plaintiff's judgment against the defendant. The magistrate shall order the garnishee to deliver any personal property to the sheriff to be held by him subject to the order of the magistrate for the satisfaction of any judgment that may be rendered against the defendant. If the garnishee fails to deliver the personal property to the sheriff, the sheriff shall notify the magistrate, and, upon motion of the plaintiff, the garnishee shall be cited for contempt. If the garnishee fails to show good cause in the contempt hearing, he shall be punished for contempt, and the magistrate may render judgment against him for the full amount of the plaintiff's judgment against the defendant, together with all interest and costs.   

D.     If the defendant is employed by the garnishee, the magistrate shall render judgment for the plaintiff against the garnishee for the unpaid balance of the plaintiff's judgment against the defendant and order the garnishee to pay to the plaintiff each pay period the defendant's wages or salary, which are not exempt from garnishment under Section 35-12-7 NMSA 1978 and which come due subsequent to the time of answer, until the judgment is satisfied, or, if the employment relationship is terminated, until the garnishee gives the plaintiff written notice that the employment relationship has terminated.