How long do I have to object?

Short — most state garnishment statutes give 7 to 21 days from service of the writ. Utah is 14 days. California is 10 days. New York is 20 days. Federal student-loan administrative wage garnishment is 30 days. Miss the deadline and the garnishment proceeds for the full duration of the writ. Act immediately.

What's the 25% federal cap?

The Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 U.S.C. § 1673(a)) caps wage garnishment for ordinary consumer debt at the LESSER of: (a) 25% of disposable earnings (gross minus required deductions like taxes, FICA), or (b) the amount by which disposable earnings exceed 30x the federal minimum wage. The cap protects you AS A FLOOR — your state may protect more (some states don't allow consumer-debt wage garnishment at all). Child support, spousal support, taxes, and federal student loans have higher caps and don't apply here.

Are Social Security or VA benefits exempt?

Yes — federally protected. Social Security, SSI, VA disability, federal pension, and a handful of others are categorically exempt from garnishment for consumer debt under 31 C.F.R. § 212 and 42 U.S.C. § 407. If the creditor garnished a bank account that received these direct deposits, the bank is required to look back 2 months and protect those funds automatically. If they failed to, file the objection AND a complaint with the bank.

What is the head-of-household exemption?

Many states fully or substantially exempt the wages of the principal earner who supports dependents. Florida is the most famous (100% exempt for head of household earning $750/wk or less). Other states have lower caps but still protect head of household. Check your state's specific exemption statute — the amount and the proof requirements (typically marriage cert / dependent records) vary widely.

I never knew about the lawsuit — what now?

If you were never served (or were served improperly), the underlying default judgment may be voidable. Pick "improper service" in the wizard. After filing the objection, immediately file a separate Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment under your state's civil rules (Utah URCP 60, federal FRCP 60, etc.). Both can run in parallel — the objection stops the bleeding, the motion to set aside attacks the underlying judgment.

What if the debt was discharged in bankruptcy?

A garnishment for a discharged debt is a violation of the bankruptcy discharge injunction (11 U.S.C. § 524(a)(2)). File the objection (pick "bankruptcy discharge"), attach the discharge order, and consider a motion in the bankruptcy court to reopen for contempt. Many courts award sanctions including attorney fees and emotional-distress damages — collectors who garnish discharged debt do so at significant risk.

Debt collection overview

Garnishment objection

Stop the garnishment.

Most state garnishment statutes give you a short objection window — commonly 7 to 21 days from service of the writ. Federal law (15 U.S.C. § 1673) caps consumer-debt garnishment at 25% of disposable earnings. State exemptions (head-of-household, minimum-wage floor, federal benefits, bankruptcy discharge) go further. The wizard builds a court-ready Objection and Claim of Exemption — free.

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2Court + writ
3Exemptions
4Relief
5Review

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Earlier in the timeline

FDCPA validation letter — free

If a collector sent you a letter (no lawsuit yet), the validation letter under § 1692g forces them to prove the debt before they can sue. Stops most cases at the wall.

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Hearing-prep kit

Case Pass — $149

Hearing-prep packet (exhibit list, evidence binder, witness outline), Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment if needed, follow-up correspondence with creditor / garnishee, and deadline tracking — for one garnishment matter, 12 months.

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