What is a writ requiring an officer to seize property known as?

The correct answer is a writ of attachment. This legal document is issued by a court and authorizes law enforcement to seize or attach property to secure a potential judgment in a legal proceeding. It is often used in civil cases where a plaintiff is concerned that the defendant may dispose of or hide assets before a judgment is rendered, thereby protecting the plaintiff's interests.

A writ of execution, while similar, specifically refers to the enforcement of a judgment after it has been entered, allowing the seizure of property to satisfy that judgment. A writ of mandamus is used to compel a government official or entity to perform a duty they are legally obligated to carry out, and a writ of habeas corpus is a legal order requiring that a person detained be brought before a court to determine the legality of their detention. These other forms of writs serve different purposes and contexts within the legal system.