Phoenix Wage Garnishment Attorneys
If you need more information about wage garnishments in Arizona, call a Phoenix bankruptcy lawyer at Hilltop Law Firm today at (602) 466-9631.
Your Rights Under Arizona Wage Garnishment Laws
Mirroring federal laws, Arizona wage garnishment laws provide identical protections for citizens, limiting the amount that creditors can garnish from their paychecks.
With only non-exempt wages accessible to creditors for garnishment, there are also strict limits in Arizona on how much can be garnished per paycheck.
Testimonial
Cy Hainey and his team were a class act, would work with again any day...Because of him and his team my wages won't be garnished for the first time in 7 years! Thank you so much to him and his crew, cannot recommend them enough.”
- Kiri G.
Understanding How Wage Garnishment Works
Wage garnishments, referred to as wage attachments in some cases, are orders from a court or government agency that require your employer to withhold a specific amount of money per check, sending it instead directly to the creditor.
When Do Creditors Get To Garnish Wages?
Before garnishing your wages, most creditors must obtain a court judgment that indicates you owe them money. Simply falling behind on payments to a creditor does not warrant wage garnishment until the creditor files a lawsuit and gets a judgment in court.
The following types of debt are exempt from following this rule and can garnish wages without a judgment:
- Court Ordered Child Support
- Student Loan Defaults
- Unpaid Income Tax
Wage Garnishment Laws in Arizona
Though states can impose their own laws over wage garnishment limits, Arizona’s are exactly the same as Federal wage garnishment laws.
Creditors are only allowed to take the lessor of the following:
- 25% of Non-Exempt Weekly Earnings
- Amount of Non-Exempt Earnings that exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage
The wages that remain after an employer has made the required deductions are referred to as “Disposable Earnings”.
Termination of Employment Due To Wage Garnishment
Arizona wage garnishment laws dictate that an employer cannot fire their employee because of a child support wage garnishment. Rehires, returning employees or new hires are sometimes required to disclose their child support withholding status, but hiring or firing cannot be based on this information.
Bank Levy Laws in Arizona
A bank levy grants the creditor the right to take money from the bank account of a debtor and apply these funds to the balance of a judgment.
Under Arizona Title 25 – Chapter 5 – Article 1 25-521, the state of Arizona allows bank levies for family support.
In the event of a court ordered judgment, the department may issue a levy and collect the full amount owed. Arizona bank levy laws also allow collection on all property and rights to property not including exemptions under federal and state laws.
Arizona Title 23 – Chapter 4 – Articles 5 23-752 and 23-755 allow for the seizure of personal property as well as wages under Arizona bank levy laws.
What To Do If You Have a Judgment Against You
In Arizona, having a judgment against debt owed to a creditor can drastically impact your financial health. One adverse effect of receiving adjustment comes by way of wage garnishment, as detailed above. Often, creditors that hold a judgment against an Arizona resident will seek to garnish their bank accounts towards the balance of a debt.
There are a variety of options available to Arizona citizens who currently have a creditor judgment.
Talk to a Phoenix Wage Garnishment Lawyer About Your Rights In Arizona
You may be able to avoid bankruptcy in Phoenix all together, and even keep your property in the process. Call and talk to Cy T. Hainey and his team at Hilltop Law Firm. They will give you a clearer picture of your options, with the possibility of avoiding bankruptcy, wage garnishment, and foreclosure all together.
Reach out to Hilltop Law Firm at (602) 466-9631 for a 100% FREE zero obligation consultation.