A. After entry of an order pursuant to the requirements of chapter 14 of this title, a writ of attachment may issue although the plaintiff‘s debt or demand is not due, but final judgment shall not be rendered against the defendant until the debt or demand is due.

Terms Used In Arizona Laws 12-1523

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
  • Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Property: includes both real and personal property. See Arizona Laws 1-215

B. To obtain an attachment for a debt or demand not due, the plaintiff may file with the clerk or justice of the peace a complaint and shall file an affidavit showing:

1. That the defendant is indebted to the plaintiff upon a contract, express or implied, for the direct payment of money, stating the amount, and that the debt is not due.

2. That such contract was made or is payable in this state.

3. That payment of the debt has not been secured by a mortgage, pledge or lien.

4. The character of the debt sued for.

5. That there are no legal setoffs or counterclaims against the debt.

6. That the defendant is about to remove permanently from the state and has refused to secure the debt, or that he has secreted his property for the purpose of defrauding his creditors, or that he is about to remove his property from the state without leaving sufficient property remaining for payment of his debts, or that he has disposed of his property wholly or in part with intent to defraud his creditors, or that he is about to dispose of his property with intent to defraud his creditors.

C. The affidavit shall further state that the attachment is not sued out for the purpose of injuring or harassing the defendant and that the plaintiff will probably lose his debt unless the attachment is issued.

D. The facts set forth in the affidavit filed under this section may be denied by the defendant, and the issue so formed shall be tried as other questions of fact.

E. If judgment is for the defendant, the court shall fix and include in the judgment a reasonable attorney’s fee and shall enter judgment therefor against the sureties upon the attachment bond.