🌴 South Carolina Wage Garnishment Laws & Collection Guide ()
📍 Collecting a judgment in South Carolina? Wage garnishment in the Palmetto State is extremely limited. South Carolina does NOT allow wage garnishment for most consumer debts – only for specific debts like child support, taxes, and student loans. This guide covers what you need to know as part of your South Carolina judgment collection strategy.
⚖️ What Is Wage Garnishment in South Carolina?
South Carolina severely restricts wage garnishment for consumer debts. Like Texas, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, South Carolina does NOT allow wage garnishment for most consumer judgments.
For creditors working on how to collect a judgment, alternative collection methods are essential. Our skip tracing services help locate debtors and assets.
⚠️ Critical Warning: South Carolina does NOT allow wage garnishment for consumer debts! You must use alternative methods like bank levies, property liens, and asset seizure.
💡 Key Point: SC judgments last 10 years and can be renewed. Focus on bank accounts and property liens instead of wage garnishment.
🏛️ What CAN Be Garnished
- Child Support – Up to 50-65% of disposable earnings
- Tax Levies – SC DOR and IRS have garnishment powers
- Student Loans – Federal administrative wage garnishment
- Consumer Debt – NOT ALLOWED for regular judgments
💰 Alternative Collection Methods
Since wage garnishment isn’t available for consumer debts, focus on these alternatives:
🏦 Bank Levies: Attach debtor’s bank accounts
🏠 Property Liens: Lien on real estate
📋 Alternative Collection Options
| Method | Description | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| 🏦 Bank Levy | Attach bank account funds | High if account found |
| 🏠 Judgment Lien | Lien against real property | Collects upon sale |
| 🚗 Asset Seizure | Levy on personal property | Varies by asset |
| 📋 Supplemental Proceedings | Court-ordered asset disclosure | Reveals assets |
🔍 Need to Find a Debtor’s Assets in South Carolina?
Our asset search services locate bank accounts and property for levies.
Order Asset Search →📋 Steps to Collect in South Carolina
- Obtain a Money Judgment
Get a SC judgment or domesticate an out-of-state judgment.
- Locate Debtor and Assets
Our South Carolina skip tracing finds debtors and assets.
- Record Judgment Lien
File judgment in county for property lien.
- Issue Bank Execution
File writ of execution to levy bank accounts.
- Request Supplemental Proceedings
Court hearing to discover assets.
- Pursue Non-Wage Assets
Seize eligible property and bank funds.
- Monitor for Assets
Continue monitoring over the 10-year judgment life.
🔍 Skip Tracing in South Carolina
🏙️ South Carolina Coverage
- Charleston – Lowcountry area
- Columbia – State capital
- Greenville – Upstate SC
- Myrtle Beach – Grand Strand
- Spartanburg – Upstate SC
🎯 South Carolina Debtor Hiding Assets?
20+ years helping creditors locate judgment debtors and assets throughout South Carolina.
Start Your Search →🛡️ Debtor Protections
- No consumer wage garnishment – One of few states with this protection
- Homestead exemption – Protects equity in primary residence
- Exempt income – Social Security, SSI, veterans benefits
📍 Our South Carolina Services
🔍 Skip Tracing
💼 Asset Research
📞 Ready to Collect Your South Carolina Judgment?
Get Started Today →❓ FAQs
No – South Carolina does NOT allow wage garnishment for consumer debts. Use bank levies, property liens, and asset seizure instead.
10 years, renewable before expiration.
