1. What Is Garnishment?

Garnishment is a legal process where a portion of a person's earnings is withheld by their employer for the payment of a debt. This typically occurs following a court order or government directive.

2. How Garnishment Is Calculated

Garnishment is calculated as the lesser of:

Where:

• Disposable Income — Earnings after legally required deductions
• Percentage Limit — Legal maximum percentage that can be garnished (typically 25%)
• Court Order Amount — Total amount specified in the garnishment order

3. Legal Limits on Garnishment

Federal Law: The Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) limits garnishment to the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage.

4. Using the Calculator

Instructions: Enter your disposable income (after taxes), the court order amount, and the applicable percentage limit (default is 25%). The calculator will determine the maximum garnishment amount.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What counts as disposable income?
A: Disposable income is your earnings after legally required deductions like federal, state, and local taxes, Social Security, unemployment insurance, and state employee retirement systems.

Q2: Are all debts subject to garnishment?
A: No, only certain types like child support, alimony, taxes, student loans, and court-ordered judgments typically qualify for wage garnishment.

Q3: Can multiple garnishments be in effect?
A: Yes, but total garnishments generally can't exceed the legal limit (25% for most debts, higher for child support or tax debts).

Q4: Are there state-specific garnishment laws?
A: Yes, some states have stricter limits than federal law. Always check your state's regulations.

Q5: Can garnishment be stopped?
A: Garnishment typically continues until the debt is paid or you negotiate an alternative arrangement with the creditor.