Seizure is the method of levy for personal property in the possession of the debtor. If the debtor has a business, the placement of a keeper in the debtor’s business for an 8-hour period is a relatively inexpensive form of seizure. An 8-hour keeper levy is particularly effective when used as a "fact-finding mission" to identify equipment and inventory at the debtor’s business. A deputy sheriff performs the levy by placing a keeper (custodian) in the debtor’s business for an 8-hour period. During that time, the keeper seizes incoming cash and checks from the sale of merchandise and prevents the removal of any stock-in-trade or equipment unless paid for. The keeper also prepares a written inventory of the property found at the business. If further action is required, the creditor may refer to the keeper’s inventory to weigh the feasibility of having the Sheriff seize, move to storage and sell some or all of the property if the debtor does not satisfy the judgment.

The debtor may claim the levied property as exempt if the debtor is an individual (not a corporation, partnership, etc.) If an exemption is filed, the Sheriff will mail a copy of the claim and instructions for opposing the exemption to the creditor.

Property belonging to the debtor that is not in the possession of the debtor must be garnished and cannot be seized. A keeper levy cannot be made if the Sheriff determines that the business is not in the possession of the debtor. For example, a keeper may be installed at A1-Auto, a corporation, if the writ lists the debtor as A-1 Auto, a corporation. However, if the writ only lists John Smith, an individual (who is also President of the corporation) as the debtor, a keeper cannot be placed because the corporation is not a named debtor. The wages owed to John Smith by the corporation must be levied by garnishment (earnings withholding order.)