Wage Garnishment

[DivorceRuinedMe]

I need clarification on this. I read somewhere that if you are the head of household and that you are supporting a dependent (at least 50% or something like that) that your wages cannot be garnished in Florida. Can anyone tell me if this is correct? I know I've read on here that if you live in Texas that NO wages can be garnished regardless. Where can I find out about wage garnishments in different states? Is there a central place to look to find out if your state garnishes or not?

[oldman]

check here http://www.bcsalliance.com/debt1_florida.html I think you are exempt

[DivorceRuinedMe]

Thanks Oldman. I thought I read that somewhere. I have 4 kids that I support so I was a bit worried about that.

Also - if the money hits the bank, does that mean that they can take it and it loses its exemption? I have direct deposit now and I swear I read on here that once it hits your bank account, money is money and they can take it. Is that true? Would I be better off just paying cash for everything and writing checks for bills and cancelling direct deposit? I put EVERYTHING on my debit card now so it's a bit unnerving for me to carry cash around (especially since I'm a young Mom that is often saddled with kids and is distracted easily). I can do it though if there's a chance of my bank account getting frozen and then the money taken.

[oldman]

While it probably is still exempt, and can get it back through court action - think about bank fees, possible bad checks , no $$$ for expenses, I think I would err on the conservative side even if it is a pain in the a**. Just my 2 cents. If anybody has better insight feel free to chime in. oldman

[GoingDown]

Thanks Oldman. I thought I read that somewhere. I have 4 kids that I support so I was a bit worried about that.

Also - if the money hits the bank, does that mean that they can take it and it loses its exemption? I have direct deposit now and I swear I read on here that once it hits your bank account, money is money and they can take it. Is that true? Would I be better off just paying cash for everything and writing checks for bills and cancelling direct deposit? I put EVERYTHING on my debit card now so it's a bit unnerving for me to carry cash around (especially since I'm a young Mom that is often saddled with kids and is distracted easily). I can do it though if there's a chance of my bank account getting frozen and then the money taken.

Once your paycheck is deposited into a checking account or savings account it can be seized by a judgment creditor.

The only way you could get it back would be to file a court action, and that would cost you a lot of time, money, and stress, and you might not prevail in the court action.

Paying for everything with cash, money orders, and pre-paid debit cards is the only sure way to keep the judgment creditor from getting your money.

One thing that paying for everything with cash will do for you is make you stop making impulse purchases because when you see your hard earned cash depleting, you will hold back and not spend as much money. Since I went to a strictly cash basis I have saved literally thousands of dollars that I would have otherwise spent.

[DivorceRuinedMe]

Once your paycheck is deposited into a checking account or savings account it can be seized by a judgment creditor.

The only way you could get it back would be to file a court action, and that would cost you a lot of time, money, and stress, and you might not prevail in the court action.

Paying for everything with cash, money orders, and pre-paid debit cards is the only sure way to keep the judgment creditor from getting your money.

One thing that paying for everything with cash will do for you is make you stop making impulse purchases because when you see your hard earned cash depleting, you will hold back and not spend as much money. Since I went to a strictly cash basis I have saved literally thousands of dollars that I would have otherwise spent.

Can you tell me where I can get prepaid debit cards?? I want one that I can use everywhere, not just at like Target or Walmart.

[CindyLou]

western union. you can request it online and then fund it with cash once it arrives. VERY low fees and very easy to fund.

[SinkingFast]

Can you tell me where I can get prepaid debit cards?? I want one that I can use everywhere, not just at like Target or Walmart.

I think it's called Green Dot.

If you look around the check-out area of Drug Stores, you'll see a few different Pre Paid/Reloadable Debit Cards. They have the MC or Visa logo on them. You'll just have to look into the fees to see which one works best for you.

Here's a link to the Green Dot website:

https://www.greendotprepaidcards.com...FQWiIwodflqrzw

[DivorceRuinedMe]

Thanks ladies. I am looking into both of those options. I just hate to carry cash so this will work nicely for the grocery store/gas/Walmart etc.