🗿 South Dakota Wage Garnishment Laws & Collection Guide ()
📍 Collecting a judgment in South Dakota? Wage garnishment in the Mount Rushmore State follows federal guidelines with some unique state provisions. South Dakota is creditor-friendly with efficient garnishment procedures. This guide covers everything you need to know as part of your South Dakota judgment collection strategy.
⚖️ What Is Wage Garnishment in South Dakota?
Wage garnishment in South Dakota allows judgment creditors to collect directly from a debtor’s paycheck. The process is governed by South Dakota Codified Laws Chapter 21-18, with limits that differ slightly from federal standards.
For creditors working on how to collect a judgment, wage garnishment is effective. Our skip tracing services help locate debtors throughout South Dakota.
💡 Key Point: South Dakota judgments last 20 years! SD limits garnishment to 20% of disposable earnings (not 25%) and uses 40× minimum wage test (not 30×).
⚠️ South Dakota Difference: SD is more debtor-friendly than federal standards: 20% limit (vs 25%) and 40× minimum wage protection (vs 30×).
🏛️ Types of Wage Garnishment
- Consumer Debt Garnishment – Limited to 20% of disposable earnings
- Child Support – Up to 50-65% of disposable earnings
- Tax Levies – SD DOR and IRS have broader powers
- Student Loans – Up to 15% for federal student loans
💰 South Dakota Wage Garnishment Limits
South Dakota has enhanced debtor protections. Maximum garnishment is the lesser of:
🔢 Option 1: 20% of disposable earnings
💵 Option 2: Amount exceeding 40× federal minimum wage
📋 South Dakota Exemption Table
| Debt Type | Maximum Garnishment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 📄 Consumer Debt | 20% or 40× min wage test | More 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 South Dakota?
Our employment verification services locate employer information within 24 hours.
Order Employer Search →📋 Steps to Garnish Wages in South Dakota
- Obtain a Money Judgment
Get a SD judgment or domesticate an out-of-state judgment.
- Locate Debtor and Employer
Our South Dakota skip tracing finds employer information.
- File Garnishment Summons
File garnishment summons with the court.
- Serve the Employer
Serve summons on the employer (garnishee).
- Employer Files Answer
Employer must respond with employment and wage information.
- Court Issues Order
Garnishment continues until judgment satisfied.
- Monitor Payments
Track payments and file satisfaction when paid.
🔍 Skip Tracing in South Dakota
🏙️ South Dakota Coverage
- Sioux Falls – State’s largest city
- Rapid City – Black Hills area
- Pierre – State capital
- Aberdeen – Northeast SD
- Brookings – Eastern SD
🎯 South Dakota Debtor Hiding from Collection?
20+ years helping creditors locate judgment debtors throughout South Dakota.
Start Your Search →🛡️ Debtor Protections
- 20% garnishment limit – Lower than federal 25%
- 40× minimum wage protection – Higher than federal 30×
- Exempt income – Social Security, SSI, veterans benefits
📍 Our South Dakota Services
🔍 Skip Tracing
💼 Asset Research
📞 Ready to Collect Your South Dakota Judgment?
Get Started Today →❓ FAQs
The lesser of 20% of disposable earnings OR amount exceeding 40× federal minimum wage.
20 years – one of the longest judgment periods in the nation!
