Wage Garnishment in New Jersey

How much of your paycheck can be garnished in New Jersey and how to claim an exemption.

Short answer: Stricter than federal law. A wage execution is generally limited to the lesser of 10% of gross pay or 25% of disposable (net) pay, and pay up to 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage per week is protected. NJ Courts, How to Object to a Wage Garnishment in a Special Civil Part Case (CN 12322); Collecting a Money Judgment (CN 10282)

Wage garnishment limit	Stricter than federal law. A wage execution is generally limited to the lesser of 10% of gross pay or 25% of disposable (net) pay, and pay up to 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage per week is protected. A wage execution is available only if the debtor earns more than $217.50 a week. The debtor can ask the court to reduce it for hardship. The court guide states the limit in two slightly different ways (10% of disposable earnings in one place; lesser of 10% of gross or 25% of net in its worksheet instructions). The governing statute (N.J.S.A. 2A:17-56) was not read. Medical creditors may not garnish wages of patients with income under 600% of the federal poverty level (P.L. 2024, c. 48). Source: NJ Courts, How to Object to a Wage Garnishment in a Special Civil Part Case (CN 12322); Collecting a Money Judgment (CN 10282)
Claiming an exemption	To object to a bank levy or wage garnishment in the Special Civil Part, file a Certification in Objection (with a Certification of Service, and for a bank levy, three months of bank statements; for wages, an optional worksheet) with the Special Civil Part office in the county where the case was filed. There is no filing fee. Send copies to the other parties by regular and certified mail. A hearing is generally scheduled within 7 days. Bank levy packet: https://www.njcourts.gov/sites/default/files/forms/12323_obj_bank_levy.pdf. The deadline to object was not stated in the packets read. Source: NJ Courts, CN 12322 and CN 12323

Wage garnishment limit

Stricter than federal law. A wage execution is generally limited to the lesser of 10% of gross pay or 25% of disposable (net) pay, and pay up to 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage per week is protected. A wage execution is available only if the debtor earns more than $217.50 a week. The debtor can ask the court to reduce it for hardship.

The court guide states the limit in two slightly different ways (10% of disposable earnings in one place; lesser of 10% of gross or 25% of net in its worksheet instructions). The governing statute (N.J.S.A. 2A:17-56) was not read. Medical creditors may not garnish wages of patients with income under 600% of the federal poverty level (P.L. 2024, c. 48).

Source: NJ Courts, How to Object to a Wage Garnishment in a Special Civil Part Case (CN 12322); Collecting a Money Judgment (CN 10282)

Claiming an exemption

To object to a bank levy or wage garnishment in the Special Civil Part, file a Certification in Objection (with a Certification of Service, and for a bank levy, three months of bank statements; for wages, an optional worksheet) with the Special Civil Part office in the county where the case was filed. There is no filing fee. Send copies to the other parties by regular and certified mail. A hearing is generally scheduled within 7 days.

Bank levy packet: https://www.njcourts.gov/sites/default/files/forms/12323_obj_bank_levy.pdf. The deadline to object was not stated in the packets read.

Source: NJ Courts, CN 12322 and CN 12323

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FAQ

How much of my wages can be garnished in New Jersey?

How do I stop a garnishment or claim an exemption in New Jersey?

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.