Garnishment
A court order directing a third party (often an employer or bank) to withhold funds belonging to a debtor.
A garnishment is a court order, usually following a judgment, that directs a third party holding the debtor's money or property to deliver it to the creditor instead of the debtor. Bank accounts, wages, accounts receivable, and rents are common targets.
For wage garnishment, federal and California law cap how much can be taken, generally the smaller of 25 percent of disposable earnings or the amount above 40 times the state minimum wage. For commercial accounts, the limit is the balance held.
Effective garnishment requires accurate information about where the debtor's assets are held, which is where skip tracing and post-judgment discovery come in. We pursue garnishments in California state and federal courts on behalf of commercial creditors.
Related terms
Have a matter that touches this term?
A partner reviews every submission personally and responds within one business day.
