🍑 Georgia Wage Garnishment Laws & Collection Guide ()
📍 Collecting a judgment in Georgia? Wage garnishment is an effective tool for recovering money in the Peach State. Georgia follows federal garnishment guidelines with some state-specific procedures. This guide covers everything you need to know as part of your Georgia judgment collection strategy.
⚖️ What Is Wage Garnishment in Georgia?
Wage garnishment in Georgia allows judgment creditors to collect money directly from a debtor’s paycheck. The process is governed by O.C.G.A. Title 18, Chapter 4 (Garnishment), following federal CCPA limits.
For creditors working on how to collect a judgment, wage garnishment is highly effective. Our skip tracing services help locate debtors and employers throughout Georgia.
💡 Key Point: Georgia judgments last only 7 years but can be renewed for additional 7-year periods. Act quickly to begin garnishment while your judgment is fresh!
🏛️ Types of Wage Garnishment
- Consumer Debt Garnishment – Limited to 25% of disposable earnings
- Child Support Withholding – Up to 50-65% of disposable earnings
- Tax Levies – Georgia DOR and IRS have broader powers
- Student Loan Garnishment – Up to 15% for federal student loans
💰 Georgia Wage Garnishment Limits
Georgia follows federal CCPA standards. Maximum garnishment is the lesser of:
🔢 Option 1: 25% of disposable earnings
💵 Option 2: Amount exceeding 30× federal minimum wage ($217.50/week)
📋 Georgia Exemption Table
| Debt Type | Maximum Garnishment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 📄 Consumer Debt | 25% or 30× min wage test | Standard process |
| 👨👩👧 Child Support | 50-65% | Priority over others |
| 🎓 Student Loans | 15% | Administrative process |
| 🏛️ Tax Debt | Varies | Broad powers |
🔍 Need to Find a Debtor’s Employer in Georgia?
Our employment verification services locate employer information within 24 hours.
Order Employer Search →📋 Steps to Garnish Wages in Georgia
- Obtain a Money Judgment
Get a Georgia judgment from Superior, State, or Magistrate Court, or domesticate an out-of-state judgment.
- Locate Debtor and Employer
Our Georgia skip tracing finds employer information.
- File Garnishment Affidavit
File with the court in the county where the debtor is employed or resides.
- Serve the Employer
Georgia requires service on employer via sheriff or certified process server.
- Employer Files Answer
Employer must answer within 45 days disclosing debtor’s employment and wages.
- Court Issues Order
Continuing garnishment until judgment satisfied.
- Monitor Payments
Track payments and file satisfaction when paid.
🔍 Skip Tracing in Georgia
🏙️ Georgia Coverage
- Atlanta Metro – State’s largest population center
- Savannah – Coastal Georgia hub
- Augusta – Eastern Georgia
- Columbus – Western Georgia
- Macon – Central Georgia
🎯 Georgia Debtor Hiding from Collection?
20+ years helping creditors locate judgment debtors throughout Georgia.
Start Your Search →⏱️ Garnishment Timeline
Week 1: File garnishment affidavit
Week 1-2: Serve employer
Week 2-7: Employer answer period (45 days)
Week 7-10: First payment received
⚠️ Georgia Note: Georgia’s 45-day employer answer period is longer than most states. Plan for a slower start but consistent payments once garnishment begins.
🛡️ Debtor Protections
- 30× minimum wage protection
- Exempt income – Social Security, SSI, veterans benefits, retirement
- Traverse/objection rights – Debtor can contest garnishment
📍 Our Georgia Services
🔍 Skip Tracing
💼 Asset Research
📞 Ready to Collect Your Georgia Judgment?
Get Started Today →❓ FAQs
The lesser of 25% of disposable earnings OR amount exceeding 30× federal minimum wage.
7 years, renewable for additional 7-year periods.
File in the court where you obtained judgment or where debtor works/resides.
