Wage Garnishment Notice — What It Means and How to Stop It
A wage garnishment notice means a creditor has obtained a court order to have your employer withhold a portion of your paycheck to pay a debt. This is serious — but you have options. PaperLens reads your wage garnishment notice and tells you what debt it's for, how much they can legally take, whether you can contest it, and what to do right now.
Common types PaperLens handles
- Wage garnishment order
- Notice of garnishment to employer
- Earnings withholding order
- Tax levy (IRS garnishment)
- Child support withholding order
- Student loan garnishment
What to do when you receive this document
- 1
Act fast — you have a short window
Once a garnishment order is issued, you typically have only a few days to object before your employer starts withholding. The notice will state the exact timeline.
- 2
Verify the underlying judgment
Garnishments follow a court judgment. Check whether the judgment was valid — were you properly notified of the lawsuit? An improperly served lawsuit may give you grounds to vacate the judgment.
- 3
Check exempt income sources
Federal law limits garnishment to 25% of disposable income (15% for student loans). Social Security, disability, and certain other income are fully exempt from most garnishments.
- 4
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Create a Free AccountCommon questions
How much of my paycheck can they take?
Federal law limits garnishment to the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which your disposable income exceeds 30 times the federal minimum wage. State laws may be more protective. IRS levies and child support have different rules.
Can I stop a wage garnishment?
Options include: filing an exemption claim (if you qualify), negotiating a payment plan with the creditor to release the garnishment, filing for bankruptcy (which triggers an automatic stay), or contesting the underlying judgment.
Can my employer fire me for a garnishment?
Federal law (Title III of the Consumer Credit Protection Act) prohibits employers from firing you for a single wage garnishment. Multiple garnishments from different creditors may not be protected.
Is IRS wage garnishment different?
Yes. The IRS can garnish wages without a court judgment using an IRS levy. The exempt amount is calculated differently. You can stop an IRS levy by entering an installment agreement, proving hardship, or appealing within 30 days of the notice.
Related guides
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Wage Garnishment Notice: What It Means, What Gets Taken, and How to Stop It
A wage garnishment notice means a creditor has a legal right to take money directly from your paycheck before you ever see it. Here's how garnishment works, exactly how much can be taken, and the options you have to stop it.
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IRS CP90 Notice: The IRS Can Seize Your Assets — Act Within 30 Days
The CP90 is the most serious pre-levy notice the IRS sends. It gives you exactly 30 days to respond before wage garnishment, bank levies, and asset seizures can begin. Here's what to do immediately.
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