🌲 Maine Wage Garnishment Laws & Collection Guide ()
📍 Collecting a judgment in Maine? Wage garnishment is an effective tool in the Pine Tree State. Maine follows federal garnishment guidelines, making it relatively straightforward for creditors. This guide covers everything you need to know as part of your Maine judgment collection strategy.
⚖️ What Is Wage Garnishment in Maine?
Wage garnishment in Maine allows judgment creditors to collect directly from a debtor’s paycheck. The process is governed by Maine Revised Statutes Title 14, with specific garnishment procedures.
For creditors working on how to collect a judgment, wage garnishment is effective. Our skip tracing services help locate debtors throughout Maine.
💡 Key Point: Maine judgments last 20 years – one of the longest periods in the nation! Maine also uses 40× minimum wage (not 30×) for protection calculations.
⚠️ Maine Difference: Maine uses 40× minimum wage for calculating the protected amount, providing more debtor protection than federal standards.
🏛️ Types of Wage Garnishment
- Consumer Debt Garnishment – Limited to 25% of disposable earnings
- Child Support – Up to 50-65% of disposable earnings
- Tax Levies – Maine Revenue Services and IRS have broader powers
- Student Loans – Up to 15% for federal student loans
💰 Maine Wage Garnishment Limits
Maine has its own garnishment limits. Maximum garnishment is the lesser of:
🔢 Option 1: 25% of disposable earnings
💵 Option 2: Amount exceeding 40× Maine minimum wage
📋 Maine Exemption Table
| Debt Type | Maximum Garnishment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 📄 Consumer Debt | 25% or 40× min wage test | More debtor protection |
| 👨👩👧 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 Maine?
Our employment verification services locate employer information within 24 hours.
Order Employer Search →📋 Steps to Garnish Wages in Maine
- Obtain a Money Judgment
Get a Maine judgment or domesticate an out-of-state judgment.
- Locate Debtor and Employer
Our Maine skip tracing finds employer information.
- File Disclosure Subpoena
Maine uses disclosure subpoenas to initiate garnishment.
- Serve the Employer
Serve garnishment on the employer.
- Employer Responds
Employer must disclose employment and wage information.
- Court Issues Order
Garnishment order continues until judgment satisfied.
- Monitor Payments
Track payments and file satisfaction when paid.
🔍 Skip Tracing in Maine
🏙️ Maine Coverage
- Portland – State’s largest city
- Lewiston-Auburn – Twin cities area
- Bangor – Eastern Maine hub
- Augusta – State capital
- South Portland – Portland metro
🎯 Maine Debtor Hiding from Collection?
20+ years helping creditors locate judgment debtors throughout Maine.
Start Your Search →⏱️ Garnishment Timeline
Week 1: File disclosure subpoena
Week 1-2: Serve employer
Week 2-4: Employer responds
Week 4-6: First payment received
🛡️ Debtor Protections
- 40× minimum wage protection – Higher than federal standard
- Exempt income – Social Security, SSI, veterans benefits
- Objection rights – Can claim exemptions
📍 Our Maine Services
🔍 Skip Tracing
💼 Asset Research
📞 Ready to Collect Your Maine Judgment?
Get Started Today →❓ FAQs
The lesser of 25% of disposable earnings OR amount exceeding 40× Maine minimum wage.
20 years – one of the longest periods in the country!
