Wage Garnishment & Other Debt Issues

Wage Garnishment Laws: An Overview

Learn which creditors can garnish (take) your wages, how the process works, and more.

Will Interest Accrue on a Wage Garnishment?

If your wages are being garnished to pay off a judgment, interest will accrue on the principal balance during the garnishment.

How Much of My Wages Can Be Garnished?

Federal and state law limits the amount that can be taken from your paycheck to pay debts.

Grounds for Objection to Wage Garnishment

You may be able to challenge a wage garnishment. Here are some common objections.

Stopping Wage Garnishment Without Bankruptcy

In some situations, you can prevent a wage garnishment without bankruptcy.

Using Chapter 7 Bankruptcy to Stop Wage Garnishment

Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy will stop most wage garnishments, but there are a few exceptions.

Understanding Secured, Unsecured, and Priority Debts in Bankruptcy

You'll indicate whether your debt is secured, unsecured, or priority in the official bankruptcy paperwork you file with the court. The type of debt determines how or whether a creditor will get paid. So a creditor must also identify whether the debt is secured, unsecured, or priority in the proof of claim submitted for payment.

Getting Rid of Credit Card Debt With Bankruptcy

With a few exceptions, your credit card debt will be discharged in bankruptcy. Find out what happens to credit card debt in Chapters 7 and 13 and when the creditor might ask the bankruptcy court to declare your credit card balance nondischargeable.

Can Bankruptcy Stop a Credit Card Debt Lawsuit?

Filing for bankruptcy can stop a lawsuit brought by any creditor, and release the debtor of liability to repay credit card debt.

Debt Verification

When a debt collector first contacts you, you have the right to request information about the debt, called "debt verification."

Medical Bankruptcies: How to Get Rid of Medical Debt

Learn how to wipe out medical debt in bankruptcy.

Priority vs. Nonpriority Debts in Bankruptcy

Whether an unsecured debt is a priority debt or a nonpriority debt will affect how that claim is treated in bankruptcy.

Can I get rid of a debt if the debt collector violates the FDCPA?

A debt collector's FDCPA violation won't eliminate your liability for the underlying debt—but you might be able to use the violation as a bargaining tool.

Are Lawsuit Judgments Discharged by Bankruptcy?

Filing for bankruptcy relief will discharge most of your debts including lawsuit judgments. But there are exceptions.

How Will Bankruptcy Affect My Child Support Obligations?

You cannot discharge child support debt in Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Funds Exempt From a Bank Account Seizure

Find out how to protect money in your bank account from levy or garnishment by a judgment creditor, including by filing a claim of exemption, asserting an error, explaining the funds are necessary for the support of a child, or filing for bankruptcy.

Can Creditors Get Your Income If You Are Self-Employed?

If you are an independent contractor or freelancer, a judgment creditor cannot garnish your wages. But it may be able to get some of your income through a non-earnings garnishment. This article provides information on creditors seizing self-employment income.