Can a creditor garnish my wages and my bank account at the same time?
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Can a creditor garnish my wages and my bank account at the same time?
I am worried that both my wages and my bank account can be garnished at the same time. For the same or separate judgements. I currently am being garnished. Before they took 25% of my wages they drained my bank account. I am worried that they might do it again. My wage garnishment is for a 60 day period. Is it possible to have both garnished? At the same time? For either one or multiple judgements?
Asked on April 26, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Washington
Answers:
Kenneth Berger / Kenneth A. Berger, Attorney at Law
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
I see no reason why a judgment creditor could not garnish both your wages and a bank account at the same time. Each garnishment is supported by a writ of garnishment that is typically obtained by the creditor based on a statement that $25 or more remains owing to the creditor on the judgment.
There are some exemptions that are available for both wages and bank accounts if you are being garnished and I certainly would suggest you took into those.
As always, my comments are only applicable to Washington State and are not a substitute for getting competent, local, and more comprehensive, legal help.
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Yes, your wages and your bank account could both be garnished at the same time--the various remedies available to a creditor who has obtained a judgment against you (e.g. garnishment; lien or real property; execution on personal property, such as vehicles) are not mutually exclusive. Either the same or different creditors--and if the same creditor, for either one or multiple judgments against you--can use multiple different mechanisms to collect from you, so you could have both wages and bank account concurrently garnished.
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