56.18 Executions; trial of claims of third persons.—As soon as possible after the return, or after service of a Notice to Appear pursuant to s. 56.29(2), a jury, if not waived, shall be impaneled to try the right of property. If the verdict is in favor of the judgment creditor and it appears that the claim brought pursuant to s. 56.16 was interposed for delay, the judgment creditor may be awarded reasonable damages, not exceeding 20 percent of the value of the property claimed. If the claimant denies in writing under oath filed at least 3 days before the trial, the correctness of the appraisement of the value of the property by the officer levying the execution, and the verdict is in favor of the judgment creditor, the jury if not waived, shall fix the value of each item thereof, or of the items covered by such denial.
