🗽 New York Wage Garnishment Laws & Collection Guide ()
📍 Collecting a judgment in New York? Wage garnishment in the Empire State has some of the strongest debtor protections in the nation. New York limits are more restrictive than federal standards. This guide covers everything you need to know as part of your New York judgment collection strategy.
⚖️ What Is Wage Garnishment in New York?
Wage garnishment in New York allows judgment creditors to collect directly from a debtor’s paycheck. The process is governed by CPLR Article 52, with limits that are more debtor-friendly than federal standards.
For creditors working on how to collect a judgment, wage garnishment faces significant limits in NY. Our skip tracing services help locate debtors throughout New York.
⚠️ Critical Warning: New York limits garnishment to just 10% of GROSS wages (not disposable), making it one of the most debtor-friendly states. Collection may take longer.
💡 Key Point: New York judgments last 20 years, giving creditors substantial time. NY also protects 30× minimum wage or 90% of earnings, whichever is greater.
🏛️ Types of Wage Garnishment
- Consumer Debt – Income Execution – Limited to 10% of gross wages
- Child Support – Up to 50-65% of disposable earnings
- Tax Levies – NY DTF and IRS have broader powers
- Student Loans – Up to 15% for federal student loans
💰 New York Wage Garnishment Limits
New York has unique limits. Maximum garnishment is the lesser of:
| Calculation | Protection |
|---|---|
| 10% of gross wages | Standard limit |
| 25% of disposable earnings | Federal comparison |
| Amount exceeding 30× min wage | Protected amount |
⚠️ NYC Minimum Wage Considerations: New York City has higher minimum wages than upstate, affecting the 30× calculation. Always verify current rates.
🔍 Need to Find a Debtor’s Employer in New York?
Our employment verification services locate employer information within 24 hours.
Order Employer Search →📋 Steps to Garnish Wages in New York
- Obtain a Money Judgment
Get a NY judgment or domesticate an out-of-state judgment.
- Locate Debtor and Employer
Our New York skip tracing finds employer information.
- File Income Execution
NY uses “income execution” instead of garnishment terminology.
- Serve the Debtor First
NY requires serving debtor before employer in most cases.
- Serve the Employer
If debtor doesn’t pay, serve income execution on employer.
- Employer Withholds Wages
Employer withholds 10% of gross wages.
- Monitor Payments
Track payments and file satisfaction when paid.
🔍 Skip Tracing in New York
🏙️ New York Coverage
- New York City – All five boroughs
- Long Island – Nassau & Suffolk counties
- Buffalo – Western NY
- Albany – State capital
- Rochester/Syracuse – Upstate NY
🎯 New York Debtor Hiding from Collection?
20+ years helping creditors locate judgment debtors throughout New York State.
Start Your Search →⏱️ Garnishment Timeline
Week 1: File income execution
Week 1-3: Serve debtor (required first)
Week 3-4: Serve employer if debtor doesn’t pay
Week 5-7: First payment received
🛡️ Debtor Protections
- 10% of gross wages maximum
- 30× minimum wage protection
- 90% of earnings protected
- Exempt income – Social Security, SSI, veterans benefits
- Objection rights – Can claim exemptions
📍 Our New York Services
🔍 Skip Tracing
💼 Asset Research
📞 Ready to Collect Your New York Judgment?
Get Started Today →❓ FAQs
Only 10% of gross wages – one of the lowest limits in the nation.
20 years, renewable before expiration.
New York’s term for wage garnishment. The process requires serving the debtor first before serving the employer.
