🏖️ New Jersey Wage Garnishment Laws & Collection Guide ()
📍 Collecting a judgment in New Jersey? Wage garnishment in the Garden State has specific limits and procedures. New Jersey provides more debtor protection than federal standards. This guide covers everything you need to know as part of your New Jersey judgment collection strategy.
⚖️ What Is Wage Garnishment in New Jersey?
Wage garnishment in New Jersey allows judgment creditors to collect directly from a debtor’s paycheck. The process is governed by N.J.S.A. 2A:17-50 et seq., with limits that vary based on income level.
For creditors working on how to collect a judgment, wage garnishment is effective. Our skip tracing services help locate debtors throughout New Jersey.
💡 Key Point: New Jersey uses a tiered garnishment system based on income. Lower earners receive more protection. Judgments last 20 years!
⚠️ New Jersey Difference: NJ limits garnishment to 10% for income up to 250% of poverty level, and 25% for higher incomes. This is more debtor-friendly than federal limits.
🏛️ Types of Wage Garnishment
- Consumer Debt Garnishment – 10-25% based on income level
- Child Support – Up to 50-65% of disposable earnings
- Tax Levies – NJ Division of Taxation and IRS have broader powers
- Student Loans – Up to 15% for federal student loans
💰 New Jersey Wage Garnishment Limits
New Jersey uses a tiered system based on income:
| Income Level | Maximum Garnishment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 250% poverty level | 10% of gross wages | More protection |
| Over 250% poverty level | 25% of disposable earnings | Or 30× min wage test |
| 👨👩👧 Child Support | 50-65% | Priority over others |
🔍 Need to Find a Debtor’s Employer in New Jersey?
Our employment verification services locate employer information within 24 hours.
Order Employer Search →📋 Steps to Garnish Wages in New Jersey
- Obtain a Money Judgment
Get a NJ judgment or domesticate an out-of-state judgment.
- Locate Debtor and Employer
Our New Jersey skip tracing finds employer information.
- File Wage Execution
File wage execution with the court that issued judgment.
- Serve the Employer
Serve wage execution on the employer.
- Employer Withholds Wages
Employer begins withholding based on income tier.
- Court Disburses Payments
Payments made through the court to creditor.
- Monitor Payments
Track payments and file satisfaction when paid.
🔍 Skip Tracing in New Jersey
🏙️ New Jersey Coverage
- Newark – State’s largest city
- Jersey City – Hudson County, NYC metro
- Paterson – Passaic County
- Trenton – State capital
- Atlantic City – Shore area
🎯 New Jersey Debtor Hiding from Collection?
20+ years helping creditors locate judgment debtors throughout New Jersey and the tri-state area.
Start Your Search →⏱️ Garnishment Timeline
Week 1: File wage execution
Week 1-2: Serve employer
Week 2-4: Employer begins withholding
Week 4-6: First payment received
🛡️ Debtor Protections
- Tiered system – 10% for lower incomes
- 30× minimum wage protection
- Exempt income – Social Security, SSI, veterans benefits
- Objection rights – Can claim exemptions
📍 Our New Jersey Services
🔍 Skip Tracing
💼 Asset Research
📞 Ready to Collect Your New Jersey Judgment?
Get Started Today →❓ FAQs
10% for income up to 250% of poverty level; 25% (or 30× min wage test) for higher incomes.
20 years, one of the longest periods in the country!
