🏛️ Massachusetts Wage Garnishment Laws & Collection Guide ()
📍 Collecting a judgment in Massachusetts? Wage garnishment in the Bay State has specific procedures creditors need to understand. Massachusetts follows federal garnishment guidelines with some state-specific requirements. This guide covers everything you need to know as part of your Massachusetts judgment collection strategy.
⚖️ What Is Wage Garnishment in Massachusetts?
Wage garnishment in Massachusetts allows judgment creditors to collect directly from a debtor’s paycheck. The process is governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 246, following federal CCPA limits.
For creditors working on how to collect a judgment, wage garnishment is effective. Our skip tracing services help locate debtors throughout Massachusetts.
💡 Key Point: Massachusetts 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 – MA DOR and IRS have broader powers
- Student Loans – Up to 15% for federal student loans
💰 Massachusetts Wage Garnishment Limits
Massachusetts follows federal CCPA standards. Maximum garnishment is the lesser of:
🔢 Option 1: 25% of disposable earnings
💵 Option 2: Amount exceeding 30× federal minimum wage
📋 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?
Our employment verification services locate employer information within 24 hours.
Order Employer Search →📋 Steps to Garnish Wages in Massachusetts
- Obtain a Money Judgment
Get a Massachusetts judgment or domesticate an out-of-state judgment.
- Locate Debtor and Employer
Our Massachusetts skip tracing finds employer information.
- File Trustee Process
Massachusetts uses “trustee process” (attachment) for wage garnishment.
- Serve the Employer
Serve trustee summons on the employer (trustee).
- Employer Files Answer
Employer must disclose employment and wage information.
- Court Issues Execution
Garnishment continues until judgment satisfied.
- Monitor Payments
Track payments and file satisfaction when paid.
🔍 Skip Tracing in Massachusetts
🏙️ Massachusetts Coverage
- Boston Metro Area – State’s largest city
- Worcester – Central Massachusetts
- Springfield – Western Massachusetts
- Cambridge – Greater Boston
- Cape Cod/Islands – Southeastern MA
🎯 Massachusetts Debtor Hiding from Collection?
20+ years helping creditors locate judgment debtors throughout Massachusetts and New England.
Start Your Search →⏱️ Garnishment Timeline
Week 1: File trustee process
Week 1-2: Serve employer (trustee)
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 Massachusetts Services
🔍 Skip Tracing
💼 Asset Research
📞 Ready to Collect Your Massachusetts 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 periods in the country!
Massachusetts calls wage garnishment “trustee process” and the employer is called the “trustee.” It functions the same as garnishment in other states.
