What Is Wage Garnishment?
Wage garnishment is a legal process where a creditor obtains a court order to have your employer withhold a portion of your paycheck to pay off a debt. Once a garnishment order is in place, your employer is legally required to comply.
Common types of debt that lead to garnishment include unpaid credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, and certain tax obligations.
Utah Garnishment Rules
Under Utah law, creditors can garnish up to 25% of your disposable earnings (or the amount by which your weekly income exceeds 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is less). For many Utah families, losing 25% of their paycheck can be devastating.
Utah creditors can garnish up to 25% of your disposable earnings. Don't wait until it starts — consult with an attorney as soon as you receive a garnishment notice.
The Automatic Stay: Your Immediate Protection
When you file for bankruptcy (Chapter 7 or Chapter 13), the court immediately issues an automatic stay. This is a powerful legal protection that:
- Immediately stops wage garnishment
- Halts collection calls and letters
- Stops lawsuits against you
- Prevents foreclosure proceedings
- Stops utility disconnections
The automatic stay goes into effect the moment your bankruptcy petition is filed with the court.
Stopping Garnishment with Chapter 7
If you qualify for Chapter 7, it can not only stop the garnishment but eliminate the underlying debt entirely. This means the garnishment won't resume after bankruptcy — the debt simply goes away.
The entire Chapter 7 process typically takes 3–4 months, giving you fast relief and a true fresh start.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy costs as low as $749 at our office. That's a fraction of what you'd lose to ongoing garnishment.
Stopping Garnishment with Chapter 13
If your income is above the Chapter 7 means test limit, Chapter 13 can still stop garnishment immediately. The garnished debt is then rolled into your 3–5 year repayment plan at a potentially reduced amount.
Why You Need to Act Fast
Every pay period that passes means more money taken from your paycheck. The sooner you file, the sooner the garnishment stops. In urgent situations, same-day bankruptcy filings may be possible.
Don't let another paycheck be garnished. Contact our office today for a free consultation to discuss your options.
Same-day appointments and urgent filings available. Call (801) 221-9911 now to stop your wage garnishment.