A Massachusetts Writ of Attachment is a legal document issued by a court of law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It orders a third party to seize and hold property belonging to a defendant, in order to secure the payment of a debt, judgment, or other obligation owed by the defendant. The Writ of Attachment is a pre-judgment remedy, meaning it can be used before a judgment is entered in a civil case. There are three types of Massachusetts Writ of Attachment: General, Levy, and Special. A General Writ of Attachment is issued when the plaintiff is seeking the return of personal property, such as goods, documents, or money, that was wrongfully taken from them. A Levy Writ of Attachment is issued when the plaintiff is seeking to attach the defendant's real estate, such as a house or land, in order to secure the payment of a debt or judgment. A Special Writ of Attachment is issued when the plaintiff is seeking to attach the defendant's bank accounts, wages, or other intangible assets in order to secure the payment of a debt or judgment.