Arizona Wage Garnishment

Under Arizona law, creditors with a money judgment can garnish your wages, subject to strict limits updated by Proposition 209. [1, 2] This option is limited in what it can recover and is highly regulated, absent special exceptions for domestic support awards.  

A few specific types of income including social security, worker's comp and unemployment benefits are generally exempt from garnishment by individual civil creditors, the government, including the IRS, is not limited the same way.

You can access official forms and guidance directly through the Arizona Courts Self-Service Center on Garnishment.

 Garnishment Limits

• Percentage Cap: Creditors can take a maximum of 10% of your weekly disposable earnings (reduced from the old 25% limit under Prop 209).
• Minimum Wage Protection: Garnishments are completely prohibited for weekly earnings at or below 40 times the federal minimum wage, or alternatively capped at the amount exceeding 60 times the applicable minimum wage.
• Exceptions: Higher percentages may apply for special debts like child support, arrears, or federal taxes.
• Hardship Reductions: A judge can further lower or stop the garnishment if you prove it causes extreme financial hardship. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

How the Process Works

1. Court Judgment Required: Except for specific government or tax debts, a creditor must first sue you and win a court judgment before they can file for garnishment. [1, 2]
2. Writ of Garnishment: The creditor files paperwork (using forms from resources like AZCourtHelp.org) and serves the writ directly to your employer. [1, 2]
3. Employer Response: Your employer must calculate the nonexempt amount and start withholding money. [1]
4. Right to Object: You have 10 days from receiving the notice to file a formal request for a court hearing to object to the garnishment or claim exemptions. [1, 2]

This article is presented for general informational purposes only, and like anything in a public forum, cannot be considered legal advice specific to your fact pattern.

Arizona wage garnishment, Arizona Asset Protection, Arizona Asset Protection, Arizona Creditors Rights.