Wage Garnishment in Texas
How much of your paycheck can be garnished in Texas and how to claim an exemption.
Short answer: Current wages for personal services are exempt from seizure for ordinary consumer debts; the state exemption excepts only court-ordered child support. Tex. Prop. Code 42.001(b)(1)
| Wage garnishment limit | Current wages for personal services are exempt from seizure for ordinary consumer debts; the state exemption excepts only court-ordered child support. (Federal law separately allows garnishment for some debts, such as federal student loans and taxes.) Source: Tex. Prop. Code 42.001(b)(1) |
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| Claiming an exemption | When a post-judgment garnishment, execution or turnover freezes an individual's property, the creditor must serve the Notice of Protected Property Rights and a Protected Property Claim Form within three business days. The property cannot be sold or paid to the creditor for 14 days after service (17 if mailed). Filing the claim form (or a sworn equivalent) with the court requires a hearing, and nothing may be sold or paid out until the court decides; the debtor must prove the exemption. Source: Tex. R. Civ. P. 663a, 679b |
Where to get help in Texas
More Texas debt & collections
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Texas
- How to Respond to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Texas
- What Creditors Can't Take in Texas
- Medical Debt Protections in Texas
- All Texas debt & collections rules
FAQ
How much of my wages can be garnished in Texas?
Current wages for personal services are exempt from seizure for ordinary consumer debts; the state exemption excepts only court-ordered child support. (Federal law separately allows garnishment for some debts, such as federal student loans and taxes.)
How do I stop a garnishment or claim an exemption in Texas?
When a post-judgment garnishment, execution or turnover freezes an individual's property, the creditor must serve the Notice of Protected Property Rights and a Protected Property Claim Form within three business days. The property cannot be sold or paid to the creditor for 14 days after service (17 if mailed). Filing the claim form (or a sworn equivalent) with the court requires a hearing, and nothing may be sold or paid out until the court decides; the debtor must prove the 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.