Ways forward
Wage garnishment
When a creditor wins a judgment, it can take part of every paycheck until the debt is paid. Filing for bankruptcy stops most garnishments, and some money already taken can come back.
Bring these if you have them
The garnishment notice or summons
Your last two pay stubs
Any letters from the creditor's lawyer
What I can do about a garnishment
Stop it
A bankruptcy filing orders the garnishment to stop. I send the notice to your employer so the next check is whole.
Get some back
Money taken in the weeks before filing can sometimes be recovered. I'll check the dates on yours.
Look at the other options
Sometimes a smaller step, like claiming an exemption or settling the judgment, is enough. If it is, I'll tell you.
Garnishment questions
How fast does it stop?
As soon as the case is filed and your employer gets notice. Depending on the payroll cycle, that's usually the next check or the one after.
Will I lose my job?
Federal law says an employer can't fire you because of a single garnishment, and it can't fire you for filing bankruptcy either.
Can they take my bank account too?
A creditor with a judgment can try. A filing stops that as well, and some money, like Social Security, is protected even without one.
Talk through your garnishment with Emmett
Thirty minutes, free, and nothing is filed without your yes.