[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/things-to-know-about-wage-garnishment\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/things-to-know-about-wage-garnishment\/","headline":"What You Should Know About Wage Garnishment Laws in Ohio","name":"What You Should Know About Wage Garnishment Laws in Ohio","description":"A creditor is a business or a person that you owe money to.\u00a0 If you fall behind in your payments, the creditor could potentially obtain a judgment against you to garnish your wages. Wage garnishment laws allow creditors to withdraw...","datePublished":"2021-06-07","dateModified":"2025-08-11","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/author\/julius\/#Person","name":"Julius Amourgis","url":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/author\/julius\/","identifier":50,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e49a6abb900684fc2323b7043eaceeb537475408ebc3a2cefbbe0ce24506d3b3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e49a6abb900684fc2323b7043eaceeb537475408ebc3a2cefbbe0ce24506d3b3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Amourgis & Associates Attorneys at Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/amourgisassoc.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Logo-header-1.png","url":"https:\/\/amourgisassoc.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Logo-header-1.png","width":425,"height":87}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/What-You-Should-Know-About-Wage-Garnishment-Laws-in-Ohio.png","url":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/What-You-Should-Know-About-Wage-Garnishment-Laws-in-Ohio.png","height":328,"width":825},"url":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/things-to-know-about-wage-garnishment\/","about":["Bankruptcy Advice"],"wordCount":757,"articleBody":"A creditor is a business or a person that you owe money to.\u00a0 If you fall behind in your payments, the creditor could potentially obtain a judgment against you to garnish your wages. Wage garnishment laws allow creditors to withdraw money directly out of your paychecks. In Ohio, a creditor is generally permitted to take up to 25 percent following a judgment from a collections lawsuit.However, some creditors \u2014like some government agencies \u2014 can take more than a quarter of your wages, such as for debts owed for child support. Additionally, some debts don\u2019t require a court order for garnishment (e.g., government fines, unpaid income taxes, etc.). Put simply, the types of wage garnishment you may face will depend on the type of debt you have incurred.If you\u2019re facing possible wage garnishment in Ohio, you have rights and legal options. Talk to an experienced Ohio bankruptcy attorney at Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law. We\u2019ll help you determine the best steps to take to protect your future.Wage Garnishment Results from a Court Judgment or a Governmental ActionMost creditors can\u2019t begin garnishing your wages just because you fell behind on a bill. The creditor must first file a collection lawsuit and receive a judgment permitting them to take a portion of your paychecks.But under Ohio Garnishment laws, some government creditors are permitted to garnish wages without a court judgment, including:Court-ordered child support or arrearagesUnpaid taxesDefaulted student loansEither way, there must be some governmental action \u2014 a judgment, a lien, or administrative order issued\u2014 before garnishment can take place.Ohio Wage Garnishment Calculator: Limits Established By State LawOhio law generally provides that a maximum of 25 percent of your income can be paid in garnishment.\u00a0 But there are also some specific garnishment limits on particular types of debt:Federal student loans: Up to 15 percent of your weekly disposable income.Federal taxes: Up to 15 percent of your weekly disposable income. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will look at your number of dependents and standard deductions to determine an appropriate amount.Child support and alimony: Up to 60 percent of your weekly disposable income. If you\u2019re supporting a spouse or child, then 50 percent could be garnished. The collections agency could take an additional five percent of your weekly disposable income if you\u2019re over 12 weeks late on your payments.In most cases, if you have more than one judgment against you for wage garnishment in Ohio, there is a total limit of 25 percent. For example, suppose a court order already allows a creditor to garnish 15 percent of your wages and the court issues a second judgment against you. In that case, the creditor can only take out an additional 10 percent of your paycheck.Your Rights Under Ohio Debt Collection LawsWhen you\u2019re facing wage garnishment, you have certain rights under Ohio law. Understanding these rights is critical so that you can continue to support yourself and pay off your debts:You must receive a legal notification about the court-ordered garnishment.You\u2019re permitted to dispute the amount of the garnishment, if you believe that the creditor has miscalculated the amount due.Creditors can\u2019t garnish non-wage forms of income, such as veterans\u2019 benefits and Social Security. (However, a creditor can sometimes seize benefits after they are deposited in your bank account).Your employer can\u2019t fire you if there\u2019s an order against you for wage garnishment. However, they could let you go if you have two or more garnishment orders.If you\u2019re unsure of the rights afforded to you during the garnishment process, speak to a bankruptcy lawyer immediately. They can be your advocate and represent you during a lawsuit or appeal, giving you the best possible chance for a fair result.Filing Bankruptcy Can Protect You from Wage GarnishmentBankruptcy protection stops all collection actions and foreclosures. During this process, you can work on getting your finances in order. You might be able to keep most or all of your assets during bankruptcy. Additionally, the debt is often forgiven at the end of the process.Contact an Ohio Bankruptcy Lawyer For a Free ConsultationIf a creditor is garnishing or has threatened to garnish your wages, the bankruptcy attorneys at Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, can help. We\u2019ll obtain and review all documentation associated with your debt and determine your legal options.Call or contact us online for a free case evaluation. We have six conveniently located offices throughout Ohio to serve your needs.\ufeff\ufeff"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What You Should Know About Wage Garnishment Laws in Ohio","item":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/things-to-know-about-wage-garnishment\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]