Rule 3120 Abandonment of levy

When a sheriff seizes property as part of a court case, that seizure does not last forever. Two things can cause the sheriff to cancel it and walk away.

First, if the plaintiff (the person who brought the lawsuit) does not pay the sheriff's fees and costs when asked, the sheriff can drop the seizure. Second, if no sale of the property happens within six months of the seizure, the sheriff can also cancel it. The only exceptions are if a court puts the case on hold or gives more time for the sale to happen.

This rule matters most to plaintiffs who are trying to collect money from someone. If you do not pay the sheriff's fees or move the case forward quickly, you could lose your hold on the property you were counting on to collect what you are owed.