Wage Garnishment
Wage garnishment is a legal process in which a creditor can take a portion of an individual’s wages to satisfy a debt. This process is usually initiated by a court order, and the amount of money taken is determined by the court. Wage garnishment is a last resort for creditors, and is typically used when other attempts to collect a debt have failed.
History of Wage Garnishment
The practice of wage garnishment dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was used to collect debts owed to the king. In the United States, wage garnishment was first used in the late 19th century to collect debts owed to the federal government. Since then, wage garnishment has been used to collect a variety of debts, including child support, student loans, and taxes.
Comparison of Wage Garnishment Laws
| State | Maximum Amount of Garnishment |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 25% of disposable earnings |
| Alaska | 25% of disposable earnings |
| Arizona | 25% of disposable earnings |
| Arkansas | 25% of disposable earnings |
| California | 25% of disposable earnings |
Summary
Wage garnishment is a legal process in which a creditor can take a portion of an individual’s wages to satisfy a debt. This process is usually initiated by a court order, and the amount of money taken is determined by the court. Wage garnishment is a last resort for creditors, and is typically regulated by state law. For more information about wage garnishment, visit the websites of the U.S. Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service, and the National Consumer Law Center.
See Also
- Child Support
- Student Loans
- Taxes
- Debt Collection
- Bankruptcy
- Creditor Rights
- Debtor Rights
- Credit Reports
- Debt Relief
- Debt Consolidation
