N.Y. Civil Practice Law & Rules Section 5250
Arrest of judgment debtor

Upon motion of the judgment creditor without notice, where it is shown that the judgment debtor is about to depart from the state, or keeps himself concealed therein, and that there is reason to believe that he has in his possession or custody property in which he has an interest, the court may issue a warrant directed to the sheriff of any county in which the judgment debtor may be located. The warrant shall command the sheriff to arrest the judgment debtor forthwith and bring him before the court. The sheriff shall serve a copy of the warrant and the papers upon which it was based upon the judgment debtor at the time he makes the arrest. When the judgment debtor is brought before the court, the court may order that he give an undertaking, in a sum to be fixed by the court, that he will attend before the court for examination and that he will obey the terms of any restraining notice contained in the order.

Source: Section 5250 — Arrest of judgment debtor, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/CVP/5250 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 31, 2026).

5201
Debt or property subject to enforcement 5202
Judgment creditor’s rights in personal property 5203
Priorities and liens upon real property 5204
Release of lien or levy upon appeal 5205
Personal property exempt from application to the satisfaction of money judgments 5206
Real property exempt from application to the satisfaction of money judgments 5207
Enforcement involving the state 5208
Enforcement after death of judgment debtor 5209
Discharge of garnishee’s obligation 5210
Power of court to punish for contempt 5211
Privilege on examination 5221
Where enforcement proceeding commenced 5222
Restraining notice 5222–A
Service of notices and forms and procedure for claim of exemption 5223
Disclosure 5224
Subpoena 5225
Payment or delivery of property of judgment debtor 5226
Installment payment order 5227
Payment of debts owed to judgment debtor 5228
Receivers 5229
Enforcement before judgment entered 5230
Executions 5231
Income execution 5232
Levy upon personal property 5233
Sale of personal property 5234
Distribution of proceeds of personal property 5235
Levy upon real property 5236
Sale of real property 5237
Failure of title to property sold 5238
Directions to the sheriff 5239
Proceeding to determine adverse claims 5240
Modification or protective order 5241
Income execution for support enforcement 5242
Income deduction order for support enforcement 5250
Arrest of judgment debtor 5251
Disobedience of subpoena, restraining notice or order 5252
Discrimination against employees and prospective employees based upon wage assignment or income execution 5253
Cost of living adjustment for personal and real property exempt from application to the satisfaction of money judgments and exemptions in...
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Verified:
Jan. 31, 2026

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 5250. Arrest of judgment debtor's source at nysenate​.gov

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