Wage Garnishment in Wisconsin
How much of your paycheck can be garnished in Wisconsin and how to claim an exemption.
Short answer: 80% of disposable earnings is exempt, so at most 20% can be garnished. Earnings are completely exempt if household income is below the federal poverty line or the debtor receives (or within 6 months received) need-based public assistance, and garnishment is limited so it does not push… Wis. Stat. 812.34(2)
| Wage garnishment limit | 80% of disposable earnings is exempt, so at most 20% can be garnished. Earnings are completely exempt if household income is below the federal poverty line or the debtor receives (or within 6 months received) need-based public assistance, and garnishment is limited so it does not push household income below the poverty line. Source: Wis. Stat. 812.34(2) |
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| Claiming an exemption | For a wage garnishment, the debtor claims the poverty-line or public-assistance exemption (or another defense) by completing the debtor's answer form and delivering or mailing it to the employer; this can be done at any time during the garnishment. The employer sends a copy to the creditor, who may ask the court for a hearing. The procedure for claiming bank-account (non-earnings) exemptions was not read. Source: Wis. Stat. 812.37, 812.38 |
Where to get help in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (licenses collection agencies; administers the Wisconsin Consumer Act)
- File a complaint or claim
More Wisconsin debt & collections
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in Wisconsin
- How to Respond to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Wisconsin
- What Creditors Can't Take in Wisconsin
- All Wisconsin debt & collections rules
FAQ
How much of my wages can be garnished in Wisconsin?
80% of disposable earnings is exempt, so at most 20% can be garnished. Earnings are completely exempt if household income is below the federal poverty line or the debtor receives (or within 6 months received) need-based public assistance, and garnishment is limited so it does not push household income below the poverty line.
How do I stop a garnishment or claim an exemption in Wisconsin?
For a wage garnishment, the debtor claims the poverty-line or public-assistance exemption (or another defense) by completing the debtor's answer form and delivering or mailing it to the employer; this can be done at any time during the garnishment. The employer sends a copy to the creditor, who may ask the court for a hearing.
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.