North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

What is meant by a garnishment in a legal context?

1. A notice to cease all operations

2. A warning preventing property delivery to the defendant

3. A type of financial settlement agreement

4. A document to initiate a lawsuit

The correct answer is: A warning preventing property delivery to the defendant

Garnishment in a legal context refers to a court-ordered process that allows a creditor to collect on a debt by taking funds directly from a debtor's wages or bank account before the debtor receives the money. When the correct choice indicates that it is a warning preventing property delivery to the defendant, it highlights how garnishment effectively prevents the defendant from having access to certain funds or properties until the debt is settled. This legal mechanism assists in ensuring that creditors receive payment directly from the income or assets of the debtor, thus protecting the creditor's interests. The other options do not accurately reflect the definition of garnishment. For instance, a notice to cease all operations pertains to a different concept altogether, often related to businesses or regulatory actions, and does not involve the collection of debts. Similarly, a type of financial settlement agreement involves negotiations between parties to resolve a debt without court intervention, which is distinct from garnishment. Lastly, a document to initiate a lawsuit refers to the legal paperwork needed to start a legal action, which is separate from the enforcement of debt collection through garnishment.