What is Wage Garnishment?
You work hard for your wages. However the money you make to take care of yourself and your family can be taken away if you owe unpaid debts. In California, certain creditors can garnish your wages, requiring your employer to take a major chunk of your paycheck and place it straight into the hands of those creditors. When that happens, your ability to support your loved ones is threatened, making an already difficult financial situation even worse, as you fall even more behind in your responsibilities.
If you are threatened with or living under the debilitating burden of a wage garnishment, there is hope. At Thomas K. McKnight LLP, we know the stress, anxiety, and obstacles that follow a wage garnishment. Fiercely dedicated to the well-being of our Southern California clients and their loved ones, we use our experience and tenacity to resolve and remove wage garnishments and position clients for brighter futures.
Who Can Garnish Your Wages?
A wage garnishment is an order from a court or a government agency sent to your employer requiring them to withhold a certain amount from every paycheck and send those funds straight to your creditor. However, California legislation puts limits on who can garnish your wages and how much can be drawn from each paycheck.
If you owe child support or spousal maintenance, up to half of your disposable income (the amount you receive after your employer pays relevant taxes) can be garnished to fulfill those obligations. For student loans, as much as 15 percent of your disposable income from every paycheck can be diverted to the lender. The amount that can be garnished for unpaid taxes can vary depending on a variety of factors, and several garnishments can decrease your wages even more.
We Can Help Alleviate the Burden of a Wage Garnishment
Fortunately, California law prevents companies from firing an employee due to a wage garnishment. Nevertheless that doesn't make life easier if your take-home pay no longer satisfies your needs and responsibilities.
If you are experiencing wage garnishment or have other issues associated with overwhelming debt, we are ready to assist you. Please call Thomas K. McKnight LLP today at 1-(800) 466 - 7507 to arrange a free initial consultation. We look forward to helping you.
