🌾 Iowa Wage Garnishment Laws & Collection Guide ()
📍 Collecting a judgment in Iowa? Wage garnishment is a key tool in the Hawkeye State. Iowa follows federal garnishment guidelines, making it relatively straightforward for creditors. This guide covers everything you need to know as part of your Iowa judgment collection strategy.
⚖️ What Is Wage Garnishment in Iowa?
Wage garnishment in Iowa allows judgment creditors to collect directly from a debtor’s paycheck. The process is governed by Iowa Code Chapter 642, following federal CCPA guidelines for limits.
For creditors working on how to collect a judgment, wage garnishment is highly effective. Our skip tracing services help locate debtors throughout Iowa.
💡 Key Point: Iowa judgments last 20 years – one of the longest in the nation! This gives creditors substantial time to pursue collection through wage garnishment.
🏛️ Types of Wage Garnishment
- Consumer Debt Garnishment – Limited to 25% of disposable earnings
- Child Support – Up to 50-65% of disposable earnings
- Tax Levies – Iowa DOR and IRS have broader powers
- Student Loans – Up to 15% for federal student loans
💰 Iowa Wage Garnishment Limits
Iowa follows federal CCPA standards. Maximum garnishment is the lesser of:
🔢 Option 1: 25% of disposable earnings
💵 Option 2: Amount exceeding 30× federal minimum wage
📋 Iowa 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 Iowa?
Our employment verification services locate employer information within 24 hours.
Order Employer Search →📋 Steps to Garnish Wages in Iowa
- Obtain a Money Judgment
Get an Iowa judgment or domesticate an out-of-state judgment.
- Locate Debtor and Employer
Our Iowa skip tracing finds employer information.
- File Garnishment Application
File garnishment papers with the court that issued your judgment.
- Serve the Employer
Serve garnishment on the employer (garnishee).
- Employer Files Answer
Employer must respond with employment and wage information.
- Court Issues Order
Continuing garnishment until judgment satisfied.
- Monitor Payments
Track payments and file satisfaction when paid.
🔍 Skip Tracing in Iowa
🏙️ Iowa Coverage
- Des Moines – State capital and largest metro
- Cedar Rapids – Eastern Iowa hub
- Davenport/Quad Cities – Iowa-Illinois border region
- Sioux City – Western Iowa
- Iowa City – University area
- Waterloo/Cedar Falls – Northeast Iowa
🎯 Iowa Debtor Hiding from Collection?
20+ years helping creditors locate judgment debtors throughout Iowa.
Start Your Search →⏱️ Garnishment Timeline
Week 1: File garnishment application
Week 1-2: Serve employer
Week 2-4: Employer files answer
Week 4-6: First payment received
🛡️ Debtor Protections
- 30× minimum wage protection
- Exempt income – Social Security, SSI, veterans benefits
- Objection rights – Can claim exemptions
📍 Our Iowa Services
🔍 Skip Tracing
💼 Asset Research
📞 Ready to Collect Your Iowa Judgment?
Get Started Today →❓ FAQs
The lesser of 25% of disposable earnings OR amount exceeding 30× federal minimum wage.
20 years – one of the longest judgment periods in the country!
