Garnishment
A legal process where money is taken from a person's wages or bank account to pay a court judgment or debt.
Garnishment is a way for someone who is owed money to collect that debt by having it taken directly from the debtor’s paycheck or bank account. A creditor who wins a court judgment can ask the court to order the debtor’s employer or bank to redirect a portion of the debtor’s money to pay off the debt.
In Minnesota, there are limits on how much of your wages can be garnished. Federal and state law protect a portion of your income so you can still pay for basic living expenses. Certain types of income, such as Social Security benefits and public assistance, are generally exempt from garnishment.
Why it matters: Garnishment can significantly reduce your take-home pay or drain your bank account. If you receive a garnishment notice, you have the right to claim exemptions and request a court hearing to protect income you need for basic needs.
Example: After losing a lawsuit over an unpaid medical bill, the creditor obtains a court order to garnish 25% of the debtor’s disposable earnings from each paycheck until the judgment is paid off.
After losing a lawsuit, unpaid debts, child support enforcement, tax debts