If you are considering filing either a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, it is important to understand what happens to any current wage garnishment that you may have. A wage garnishment is a court order that enables a creditor to take money out of your paycheck. Once a wage garnishment starts, it is difficult to stop. Bankruptcy is an effective method to stop a wage garnishment. For most types of debts, either a Chapter 7 or a Chapter 13 filing will immediately stop a wage garnishment. Many people consider filing bankruptcy solely because of a wage garnishment.
There are many different types of wage garnishments
Some of the most common types include: child support, alimony, income tax debt, student loan debt (federal and private) and judgment creditors (such as banks and credit card companies). Each type of wage garnishment has different rules that apply, and these rules are affected differently by a bankruptcy filing. Most of these rules are specific to your state of residency.
Each type of wage garnishment has different rules that apply, and these rules are affected differently by a bankruptcy filing. Most of these rules are specific to your state of residency.
A bankruptcy filing, whether a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, puts an immediate stop to most wage garnishments
This is called the “automatic stay.” This stays in place for the duration of your bankruptcy case (or until further order of the bankruptcy court), which can last up to 5 years, depending on the type of bankruptcy that you file. A Chapter 7 will generally eliminate the debt completely.
A Chapter 13 may require you to pay the debt back, or a portion thereof, pursuant to a Chapter 13 plan. No matter the chapter of bankruptcy, once you receive a discharge, you will no longer have any of your wages garnished for that particular discharged debt.
Another thing to realize is that if you are unable to pay current debts and obligations, filing for bankruptcy may prevent a wage garnishment from ever starting in the first place. Meeting with a qualified Atlanta area bankruptcy and wage garnishment attorney can help you assess your situation to see if this would be a good idea for you. An attorney can help to determine the options that best suit your needs, and help guide you through the process for the best possible outcome.