Wage Garnishment in Kentucky
How much of your paycheck can be garnished in Kentucky and how to claim an exemption.
Short answer: Follows the federal limit: no more than the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage. KRS 427.010(2)-(3); KRS 427.140
| Wage garnishment limit | Follows the federal limit: no more than the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage. The limit does not apply to child support orders, Chapter 13 bankruptcy orders, or state or federal tax debts. An employer may not fire a worker because wages are garnished for one debt. The court's wage-garnishment notice (AOC-150) states the weekly protected amount as the greater of 75% of disposable earnings or $217.50 (30 x $7.25). No Kentucky head-of-household exemption appears in KRS 427.010. Source: KRS 427.010(2)-(3); KRS 427.140 |
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| Claiming an exemption | To challenge a wage garnishment, go to the Circuit Clerk's office that issued it within 13 days of the date on the paycheck the money was taken from, and file an Affidavit to Challenge Garnishment (AOC-150.2) stating what is exempt and why. The clerk sets a hearing; if you miss the hearing you lose the challenge to that withholding. The same affidavit is used for exempt money or property taken by other garnishments. Garnished money is held for 15 days after the employer's garnishment check is issued so exemptions can be asserted. AOC-150.2: https://kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Legal%20Forms/150.2.pdf |
Where to get help in Kentucky
More Kentucky debt & collections
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Kentucky
- How to Respond to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Kentucky
- What Creditors Can't Take in Kentucky
- All Kentucky debt & collections rules
FAQ
How much of my wages can be garnished in Kentucky?
Follows the federal limit: no more than the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage. The limit does not apply to child support orders, Chapter 13 bankruptcy orders, or state or federal tax debts. An employer may not fire a worker because wages are garnished for one debt.
How do I stop a garnishment or claim an exemption in Kentucky?
To challenge a wage garnishment, go to the Circuit Clerk's office that issued it within 13 days of the date on the paycheck the money was taken from, and file an Affidavit to Challenge Garnishment (AOC-150.2) stating what is exempt and why. The clerk sets a hearing; if you miss the hearing you lose the challenge to that withholding. The same affidavit is used for exempt money or property taken by other garnishments. Garnished money is held for 15 days after the employer's garnishment check is issued so exemptions can be asserted.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.