Wage Garnishment in Tennessee
How much of your paycheck can be garnished in Tennessee and how to claim an exemption.
Short answer: Follows the federal limit: the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount over 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage. T.C.A. 26-2-106, 26-2-107
| Wage garnishment limit | Follows the federal limit: the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount over 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage. The debtor also keeps an extra $2.50 per week for each dependent child under 16 living in Tennessee, if the debtor tells the employer. Public mirror (FindLaw, marked current as of Jan. 2, 2024). Dependent allowance: https://codes.findlaw.com/tn/title-26-execution/tn-code-sect-26-2-107/ Source: T.C.A. 26-2-106, 26-2-107 |
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| Claiming an exemption | To protect property under the $10,000 personal property exemption, file a sworn list of the items you claim as exempt, with their values, with the court that has the case. The claim can be filed before or after judgment, but it only protects against executions issued after it is filed. The court papers in a lawsuit must include a notice explaining this exemption. Public mirror (FindLaw). Source: T.C.A. 26-2-114 |
Where to get help in Tennessee
- Tennessee Collection Service Board, Department of Commerce and Insurance (licenses collection services)
- File a complaint or claim
More Tennessee debt & collections
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Tennessee
- How to Respond to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Tennessee
- What Creditors Can't Take in Tennessee
- All Tennessee debt & collections rules
FAQ
How much of my wages can be garnished in Tennessee?
Follows the federal limit: the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount over 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage. The debtor also keeps an extra $2.50 per week for each dependent child under 16 living in Tennessee, if the debtor tells the employer.
How do I stop a garnishment or claim an exemption in Tennessee?
To protect property under the $10,000 personal property exemption, file a sworn list of the items you claim as exempt, with their values, with the court that has the case. The claim can be filed before or after judgment, but it only protects against executions issued after it is filed. The court papers in a lawsuit must include a notice explaining this exemption.
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.