Can more than one garnishment be taken from wages?

[tatt2monster]

I've read the sticky and searched this forum for 3 hours and can't find anything about this. Washington State follows the 30 times min wage or 25% whichever is greater rule. But what if I'm sued by 2 or more creditors and they all want a garnishment? Can more than one garnishment come out of my check simultaneously leaving me with nothing?

[irishtemper]

If the amount being garnished is done by the law then yes they can. Just so you know, if you have one garnishment, your employer can't do nothing to you. If it is 2 or more, then you can be fired for this.

For certain debts, Public assistance, Social Security and a few other incomes are exempt and in no way should anyone agree to pay for a debt they where sued on. Nothing can be taken by law.

[falken]

I've read the sticky and searched this forum for 3 hours and can't find anything about this. Washington State follows the 30 times min wage or 25% whichever is greater rule. But what if I'm sued by 2 or more creditors and they all want a garnishment? Can more than one garnishment come out of my check simultaneously leaving me with nothing?

No, it is a wait in line type of deal. If someone is already taking out the maximum then the other orders have to wait in line (I believe the IRS is an exception to this).

However, the law does not prohibit an employer from firing an employee with multiple wage garnishments from different judgements. Your company may not want to deal with 10 judgements comming in as they have to respond to each one letting them know you have the maximum being taken out already, etc. or may feel you are not "trustworthy".

[frogger]

One at a time. The others just stand in line.

[optimistic1]

Just so you know, if you have one garnishment, your employer can't do nothing to you. If it is 2 or more, then you can be fired for this.

And then you can sue your employer and collect unemployment. Honestly, where did you dream this up at?

[dingdong]

No, it is a wait in line type of deal. If someone is already taking out the maximum then the other orders have to wait in line (I believe the IRS is an exception to this).

However, the law does not prohibit an employer from firing an employee with multiple wage garnishments from different judgements. Your company may not want to deal with 10 judgements comming in as they have to respond to each one letting them know you have the maximum being taken out already, etc. or may feel you are not "trustworthy".

Actually, that is correct, at least for some states.

In California, you cannot be terminated for one garnsihment, after that, the law does not protect you.

[optimistic1]

Then the creditor has just slit his own throat then, by getting a judgement and a writ of garnishment, knowing others would do it as well, they now have made the debtor unemployed and uncollectable.

[tatt2monster]

Thank you. Actually I work in a machine shop, its not the type of place where a garnishment of any kind will be unheard of or a reflection on character.

[falken]

And then you can sue your employer and collect unemployment. Honestly, where did you dream this up at?

[optimistic1]

First off the company will not deal with "judgements" they will be dealing with "writs of garnishment". And by law, only one of these can be in effect at one time, so I dont see how an employer would be served with simultaneous writs if the court will only allow one at a time.

Each writ of garnishment that is issued would be considered an instance of the "one indebtedness", to which you have rights under.

Each time a new writ of garnishment would go into effect, you would then be covered once again by the law protecting you.

[HHM]

First off the company will not deal with "judgements" they will be dealing with "writs of garnishment". And by law, only one of these can be in effect at one time, so I dont see how an employer would be served with simultaneous writs if the court will only allow one at a time.

Each writ of garnishment that is issued would be considered an instance of the "one indebtedness", to which you have rights under.

Each time a new writ of garnishment would go into effect, you would then be covered once again by the law protecting you.

Employers can be served with multiple garnishments, happens all the time. There really is no cross referencing that goes on; remember, its not like all the lawsuits are in front of the same judge, or for that matter in front of the same court, or at the same time.

In general, it is first come first served with garnishments. Unless there are special garnishments (IRS, Social Security etc).