§ 1-440. 29. Denial of claim by garnishee; issues of fact.

(a)In addition to any other instances when issues of fact arise in a garnishment proceeding, issues of fact arise (1)When a garnishee files an answer such that the court cannot determine therefrom whether the garnishee intends to admit or deny that he is indebted to, or has in his possession any property of, the defendant, or (2)When a garnishee files an answer denying that he is indebted to, or has in his possession any property of, the defendant, or was indebted to, or had in his possession any property of, the defendant at the time of the service of the summons upon him or at any time since then, and the plaintiff, within 20 days thereafter, files a reply alleging the contrary. (b)When a jury finds that the garnishee owes the defendant a specific sum of money or has in his possession property of the defendant of a specific value, or owed the defendant a specific sum of money or had in his possession property of the defendant of a specific value at the time of the service of the summons upon him or at any time since then, the court shall enter judgment against the garnishee for the smaller of the two following amounts: (1)The amount specified in the jury’s verdict, or (2)The full amount for which the plaintiff has prayed judgment against the defendant, together with such amount as in the opinion of the clerk will be sufficient to cover the plaintiff’s costs. History: History.1947, c. 693, s. 1.