Legal Definitions - turnover order

Definition: A written command or instruction given by a court or judge to a judgment debtor to surrender certain property to a judgment creditor or to the sheriff or constable on the creditor's behalf. This order is usually directed towards property that is difficult to acquire by the ordinary judgment-collection process, such as share certificates and accounts receivable.

Example: If a person owes money to another person and refuses to pay, the creditor can go to court and obtain a turnover order. This order will command the debtor to surrender certain property, such as bank accounts or stocks, to the creditor or the sheriff. The sheriff will then sell the property and use the proceeds to pay off the debt.

Explanation: The example illustrates how a turnover order works in practice. It is a legal tool that allows a creditor to collect a debt by seizing the debtor's property. The order is usually obtained after the creditor has exhausted other collection methods, such as wage garnishment or liens on property. The turnover order is a powerful tool because it allows the creditor to seize property that is not easily accessible through other means.