Stop Wage Garnishment in Utah: Know Your Rights

Wage garnishment can devastate your finances and leave you struggling to survive. You may feel helpless when creditors start taking money directly from your paycheck.

Good news: Utah law gives you powerful tools to fight back. You can stop or reduce garnishment and protect your income.

Stop Utah Wage Garnishment Before It Starts

Settle your debt now and avoid garnishment entirely. Solo helps you negotiate with creditors and reach agreements that protect your paycheck. Take action before the court order goes into effect.

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You have options, and you can take action today.

What Is Wage Garnishment in Utah?

Utah law allows creditors to garnish up to 25% of your disposable earnings. Disposable earnings means what’s left after taxes and mandatory deductions.

Utah Code § 70C-7-103 sets these limits to protect you. Creditors must obtain a court order before garnishing your wages.

The law also protects you another way. If 30 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25) exceeds 25% of your disposable earnings, you pay the lower amount.

Here’s how it works in practice:

Example: Sarah earns $1,000 weekly after deductions. A creditor can legally garnish $250 (25%). But Sarah already has a child support garnishment taking $400. The new creditor can only take 25% of the remaining $600, which equals $150.

What Causes Wage Garnishment?

Several types of debt can trigger wage garnishment in Utah:

Unpaid child support: Courts garnish wages to collect overdue child support payments.
Unpaid taxes: State and federal tax agencies can garnish wages for back taxes.
Unpaid debts: Credit card companies, medical providers, and other creditors use garnishment as a last resort.

Creditors must sue you first and win a judgment. Only then can they garnish your wages.

How to Stop Wage Garnishment in Utah

You have several powerful options to stop or reduce wage garnishment.

Contact the Creditor Directly

Reach out to negotiate a payment plan or settlement immediately. Garnishment is expensive and time-consuming for creditors too.

Many creditors will work with you to avoid the hassle. Prepare documentation of your income, expenses, and any financial hardships.

Job loss, medical emergencies, and other circumstances strengthen your negotiating position. Our partner Solo can help you negotiate and settle your debt before garnishment starts.

Request a Hearing to Challenge the Garnishment

You can contest an unjust or excessive garnishment in court. File your request within ten days of receiving the garnishment notice.

At the hearing, you’ll present evidence showing why the garnishment should be reduced or eliminated. Bring pay stubs, bills, and proof of other financial obligations.

A legal professional can help you prepare a strong case. Your arguments carry more weight with proper documentation.

File a Claim of Exemption

Utah law protects certain income types from garnishment. Creditors cannot touch these funds legally:

Social Security benefits
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Veterans benefits
Unemployment compensation
Workers’ Compensation
Public assistance benefits

File an exemption claim if your income comes from these sources. The court will review your claim and protect your exempt income.

File for Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay that stops all collection actions immediately. Creditors must stop garnishing your wages the moment you file.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy can discharge many unsecured debts entirely. Chapter 13 creates a manageable repayment plan over three to five years.

Bankruptcy has serious long-term consequences for your credit. Consider it only after exhausting other options.

Not all debts can be discharged in bankruptcy. You may risk losing assets like your home or car.

Prevent Wage Garnishment Through Debt Settlement

You can avoid garnishment entirely by settling your debt early. Debt settlement means negotiating to pay less than you owe.

Creditors often accept settlement offers to avoid lengthy court battles. You clear the debt and protect your wages.

Our partner Solo makes debt settlement simple and effective. The platform helps you send and receive settlement offers until you reach an agreement.

Once you agree on terms, Solo helps you send your payment securely. Your financial information stays private and protected.

Settlement stops the collection process before it reaches garnishment. You take control and resolve the debt on your terms.

Utah Resources for Wage Garnishment Help

Utah offers free and low-cost legal resources for people facing garnishment.

Utah Legal Services connects low-income residents with volunteer attorneys who handle cases for free. They help with debt collection, credit issues, and bankruptcy.

The Utah Courts website lists free legal clinics by county. You can access help with civil legal matters throughout the state.

These organizations provide valuable information and assistance:

Don’t wait until garnishment starts to seek help. Early action gives you more options and better outcomes.

Take Action Now to Protect Your Income

Wage garnishment feels overwhelming, but you’re not powerless. Utah law protects you with exemptions and limits on garnishment amounts.

You can negotiate with creditors, challenge garnishments in court, or settle debts before garnishment begins. Each option gives you a path to financial stability.

The key is taking action immediately. The longer you wait, the fewer options you have.

Start by understanding your rights under Utah law. Then choose the strategy that fits your situation best.

You can stop wage garnishment and regain control of your finances today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is wage garnishment in Utah?

Wage garnishment is a legal process where creditors collect debt by taking money directly from your paycheck. In Utah, creditors can garnish up to 25% of your disposable earnings after obtaining a court judgment. Disposable earnings are what remains after taxes and mandatory deductions.

How do I stop wage garnishment in Utah?

You can stop wage garnishment by contacting the creditor to negotiate a settlement, filing a claim of exemption for protected income, requesting a court hearing within 10 days to challenge the garnishment, or filing for bankruptcy to trigger an automatic stay. Settling your debt before garnishment starts is often the best option.

Can creditors garnish my Social Security benefits in Utah?

No. Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), veterans benefits, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, and public assistance are all exempt from garnishment in Utah. You must file a claim of exemption to protect these income sources.

How much of my paycheck can be garnished in Utah?

Utah law allows creditors to garnish up to 25% of your disposable earnings. If you already have other garnishments like child support, the new garnishment cannot exceed 25% of what remains. The amount that exceeds 30 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25) may be garnished if it's less than 25% of disposable earnings.

What should I do if I receive a wage garnishment notice in Utah?

Act immediately. Contact the creditor to negotiate a settlement or payment plan. File a request for a hearing within 10 days if you believe the garnishment is unjust or excessive. Consider filing a claim of exemption if your income is protected. You can also settle the debt through Solo to stop the garnishment process.

Stop Wage Garnishment In Utah: Your Rights & Options