Castle Law Office Blog | Missouri & Illinois Bankruptcy Legal Blog

How Important Is It to Get a Garnishment off of my Paycheck?

A wage garnishment is a common tactic used by your creditors in an attempt to collect a debt and it is one of the first things people often ask about when they come in to see me. Why is it so important to get a garnishment removed for the majority of my clients?

A garnishment can continue as long as it is renewed until the debt is paid off. For many, garnishments continue past the point they can afford to pay because they can take a set percentage of your check before you get it, regardless of other bills you have to pay, and that can be up to a shocking 25%! If you are living paycheck to paycheck or close to it, think about how having 25% of your paycheck removed every pay period will ruin your ability to support your family.

Before you know it, a garnishment can sink you into a lot more debt even faster. You could find that after a month or two of reduced pay, you are in need of protection from foreclosure, credit card debt help, and relief from those harassing creditors. Plus, a garnishment makes your employer aware of your financial trouble. For many, that is potentially embarrassing or shows the employer that they aren’t taking responsibility for their debts.

Missouri or Illinois Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy can stop your wage garnishment, stop your debt from accumulating, and help you take responsibility for your debt and the effect it is having on your family. It is no wonder that so many people request my book at the first sign that their wages are being garnished. You too can get educated about what a St. Louis, Missouri or Fairview Heights, Illinois bankruptcy attorney can do for you by requesting my free book, “Get Out of Debt: Secrets Your Creditors Don’t Want You to Know.”