Within ten days after notice of the issuing of a warrant to seize the defendant's property, the defendant may, by special answer, deny the existence, at the time of the making of the affidavit, of the material facts stated therein, and may assert undue hardship as a defense. The issue so raised must be tried by the court before the trial of the action, and the burden of proof is upon the plaintiff. If the defendant has made an assignment for the benefit of the defendant's creditors, the defendant's assignee may answer and defend pursuant to this section.
N.D.C.C. § 32-20-04.1