If you have just received notice of a second wage garnishment, your focus is likely on two urgent questions: “Is this legal?” and “What can I do about it?”
You need direct answers, not complex legal jargon. This guide is here to provide them.
While it is legally possible to have multiple garnishments filed against you, strict rules protect a significant portion of your income. More importantly, there are clear, decisive steps you can take to regain control. We will walk you through the facts and provide an actionable plan to move forward.
How Many Garnishments Can You Have at Once?
For most consumer debts like credit cards or medical bills, only one garnishment is typically processed at a time. However, multiple garnishments may be allowed if the total amount withheld does not exceed the legal limit, depending on state law. If you owe money to two different credit card companies and both obtain judgments, the first creditor to serve the garnishment order to your employer usually gets priority, and the second must wait its turn.
The Exceptions: When Multiple Garnishments Can Happen at the Same Time
The “one at a time” rule has some major exceptions, and they almost always involve government-related debts. These types of debts have special legal status and can often jump to the front of the line or collect at the same time as another garnishment.
- Child Support & Alimony: Court-ordered family support is the most common exception. These orders are given the highest priority and can be collected alongside another garnishment.
- Federal & State Tax Levies: The IRS and state tax agencies have powerful collection tools. A tax levy can be enacted simultaneously with a garnishment from another creditor.
- Federal Student Loans: Defaulted federal student loans are another exception that can be collected concurrently with other types of garnishments.
This means you could have one garnishment for a credit card and another for back taxes being taken from the same paycheck. However, even in these cases, there are still limits.
The Maximum Amount They Can Legally Take
No matter how many garnishments you have, federal law protects a significant portion of your income. Under Title III of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA), the total amount that can be garnished from your paycheck is limited to ensure you’re not left without enough to live on.
For ordinary garnishments (such as credit card debt, personal loans, or medical bills), the weekly amount that can be taken from your wages may not exceed the lesser of two figures:
- 25% of your disposable earnings, or
- The amount by which your disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage.
“Disposable earnings” refers to the portion of your paycheck left after legally required deductions, such as federal and state taxes, Social Security, and Medicare, have been taken out.
Deductions for health insurance, retirement plans, or other voluntary programs are not subtracted when calculating disposable income.
This 25% cap is the total limit for most types of consumer debt. Even if you have multiple garnishment orders for different debts, federal law ensures that the combined amount garnished for ordinary debts cannot exceed this limit.
However, the limits for child support, federal and state taxes, and federal student loans are higher than 25%, and these types of garnishments can also occur simultaneously with others.
Federal law imposes maximum thresholds depending on the type of debt:
- Child support and alimony: Up to 50–65% of disposable income
- Federal student loans: Up to 15%
- IRS tax levies: Varies based on the number of dependents and standard deduction, using IRS Publication 1494
While these limits are higher, federal rules aim to reduce excessive financial hardship, though they do not guarantee a specific minimum income in all cases.
Your Immediate 3-Step Action Plan to Stop a Wage Garnishment
Follow this plan to get clarity and start the process of stopping the garnishment.
Step 1: Verify Everything
Who is Garnishing Your Wages?
Look closely at your pay stub. Any deduction for a garnishment should list the name of the creditor or the agency that is collecting the debt. If the information is not clear, contact your Human Resources or payroll department. They receive the legal order and can provide you with a copy of the paperwork, which will have all the details you need.
Is the Amount Correct?
Once you have the details, do a quick check to see if the amount being taken is within the legal limits. Calculate your disposable earnings by subtracting legally required deductions from your gross pay, then check whether the garnishment exceeds 25% of that figure. Is the garnished amount less than or equal to that figure? If it is higher (and is not for a priority debt like child support), there may be an error that needs to be corrected immediately.
Step 2: Understand Your Options for Immediate Relief
Once you have the facts, you can explore your options for stopping the garnishment. Depending on your situation, you have several powerful paths you can take.
Option A: Negotiate a Payment Plan Directly with the Creditor
A wage garnishment is often a creditor’s last resort. Plus, it is expensive and time-consuming for them, too. You can contact the creditor or their attorney and try to negotiate a voluntary payment plan. If you can agree on a monthly payment that you can afford, they will often agree to stop the garnishment as long as you keep up your end of the deal.
Option B: File a “Claim of Exemption” if You Qualify
Many states have laws that allow you to protect more of your income from garnishment if you can prove financial hardship. This is called a “claim of exemption.” If your income is needed for essential living expenses for you and your family, or if you receive certain types of protected income (like Social Security), you may be able to have the garnishment reduced or stopped altogether. This requires filing paperwork with the court, so it’s important to act quickly.
Option C: The Power of an “Automatic Stay” Through Bankruptcy
Filing for bankruptcy is a major decision, but it provides one of the most powerful tools for stopping collection actions: the “automatic stay.” The moment you file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, this legal protection goes into effect, immediately halting most wage garnishments. This gives you critical breathing room to either eliminate the debt (Chapter 7) or organize it into a manageable repayment plan (Chapter 13).
Step 3: Contact a Professional for a Free, Confidential Review
Trying to navigate court filings or negotiate with creditors by yourself can be overwhelming. The most effective step you can take is to get an expert in your corner.
At PrecisionTax, our team has seen every possible scenario. We can review your case, explain your options in plain English, and help you build the most effective strategy for your specific situation. With over 79,000 successful cases resolved for our clients, we know how to work relentlessly to find the best possible outcome for you.
What to Do if an Employee Has Multiple Garnishments (A Guide for Employers)
Your primary responsibility is to comply with the legal order correctly to avoid liability.
- Honor the orders in sequence: For non-priority debts, you must pay the first garnishment you receive until it is satisfied. Only then can you begin paying the next one in the queue.
- Prioritize government debts: If you receive an order for child support or an IRS levy, these typically take priority over or are paid alongside other garnishments. The rules can be complex, so it is critical to follow the instructions on the order precisely.
- Communicate with your employee: Keep your employee informed. Provide them with a copy of the order and be transparent about the deductions you are required to make.
- When in doubt, seek guidance: Incorrectly handling a garnishment can create legal problems for your business. If you are unsure how to proceed, consult with a legal or tax professional.
Facing multiple wage garnishments can make you feel like you are backed into a corner. But remember: you are not helpless. By understanding the rules and taking decisive, informed action, you can put an end to the fear and begin the journey back to financial stability.
Let’s talk. We will listen to your story, review your case for free, and explain your options in a way that makes sense. There is no pressure and no obligation. Contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you be garnished twice?
Yes, but usually not at the same time for the same type of debt. For most debts (like credit cards), only one creditor can garnish your wages at a time. The second one must wait. However, you can have two or more garnishments at once if one is for a priority debt like child support, back taxes, or federal student loans.
What happens if you have more than one garnishment?
The first creditor to file a garnishment order gets paid first. Once that debt is fully paid off, the next creditor in line can begin collecting. All the while, the total amount taken from your check cannot exceed the legal limits.
How many garnishments can you have at once?
You can have multiple judgments against you, but for most debts, you can only have one active garnishment. The exceptions are government-mandated debts, which can be collected simultaneously.
Can you have more than one garnishment from the same creditor?
Typically no. A creditor will have one judgment for a specific debt and will use one garnishment to collect on it. If you have a separate, second debt with that same creditor, they would have to get a separate judgment to start a second garnishment, which would still have to wait in line.
How can I stop a wage garnishment immediately?
The fastest way to stop a wage garnishment is by filing for bankruptcy, which triggers an “automatic stay” that halts most collection actions. Negotiating a payment plan or filing a claim of exemption can also be effective but may take more time to process.