Wage Garnishment in Maryland
How much of your paycheck can be garnished in Maryland and how to claim an exemption.
Short answer: Stricter than federal law. Exempt from garnishment is the greater of 75% of disposable wages or 30 times the Maryland minimum hourly wage times the number of weeks in the pay period, plus any medical insurance payment deducted from pay. Md. Code, Com. Law § 15-601.1
| Wage garnishment limit | Stricter than federal law. Exempt from garnishment is the greater of 75% of disposable wages or 30 times the Maryland minimum hourly wage times the number of weeks in the pay period, plus any medical insurance payment deducted from pay. The amount is calculated per pay period. Uses the state minimum wage, which is higher than the federal minimum. The general exemptions in Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 11-504 do not apply to wage attachments (§ 11-504(e)). Source: Md. Code, Com. Law § 15-601.1 |
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| Claiming an exemption | The first $500 in a bank account is protected automatically. To protect other money or property (up to $6,000), the debtor must elect the exemption within 30 days of the levy or attachment. When property is seized, there is a 30-day waiting period before sale so the debtor can file a motion asking that the property be exempted; exemptions are listed in the Notice to Defendant on the Writ of Execution. The debtor can also challenge a sheriff's appraisal by motion. |
Where to get help in Maryland
- Maryland Office of Financial Regulation (licenses collection agencies; enforces the Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act)
- File a complaint or claim
More Maryland debt & collections
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Maryland
- How to Respond to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Maryland
- What Creditors Can't Take in Maryland
- Medical Debt Protections in Maryland
- All Maryland debt & collections rules
FAQ
How much of my wages can be garnished in Maryland?
Stricter than federal law. Exempt from garnishment is the greater of 75% of disposable wages or 30 times the Maryland minimum hourly wage times the number of weeks in the pay period, plus any medical insurance payment deducted from pay. The amount is calculated per pay period.
How do I stop a garnishment or claim an exemption in Maryland?
The first $500 in a bank account is protected automatically. To protect other money or property (up to $6,000), the debtor must elect the exemption within 30 days of the levy or attachment. When property is seized, there is a 30-day waiting period before sale so the debtor can file a motion asking that the property be exempted; exemptions are listed in the Notice to Defendant on the Writ of Execution. The debtor can also challenge a sheriff's appraisal by motion.
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.