When Do Wage Garnishments Stop in Missouri and Illinois?

by James R. Brown questions@castlelaw.net

President and Principal Attorney at Castle Law Office

Having a garnishment on your paycheck can really put you in a terrible position. If a creditor must garnish your wages, chances are that you’ve sunk pretty far down into debt. Having a portion of your paycheck taken from you certainly doesn’t increase your ability to get back on track with your debt, especially when that can be up to 25% for debts except child support which can be up to 65%!

Most creditors will continue to garnish your wages until your debt is paid off. Depending on how much debt you are in, that could be quite a long time. You see, a creditor must go through a court and get a judgment against you in order to garnish your wages. Typical garnishments are given for 60, 90 or 180 days, but if you still owe the debt after the garnishment has expired, most creditors will simply go back through the court and renew the garnishment. Many times a second creditor will be waiting in line and their garnishment will start as soon as the first expires, leaving you no room to breathe.

What if you are being garnished for taxes? It is even easier for the federal government to garnish your wages. They don’t have to get a judgment against you; they can simply garnish your wages without court approval or an expiration date. They can also levy bank accounts, attack personal property, and place a lien on real estate.
So, when can a wage garnishment stop? Whenever you choose to stop it. “But James! You just said that my creditors will continue to garnish my wages until my debt is paid off!” Sure, your garnishment could go on for what seems like forever unless you choose to do something about it. You can actually stop your wages from being garnished and get a handle on your debt by filing for Missouri or Illinois bankruptcy.

One of the biggest benefits of filing for Missouri or Illinois Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy is that it prevents your creditors from taking any more action against you. That means no more harassing phone calls, no more threats of taking your property, and no more wage garnishments. Wouldn’t it be nice to finally feel like you have the control when it comes to your debt? That must be why over 1 million people file bankruptcy each year. Doing nothing changes nothing!

Wondering, “Should I file bankruptcy?” or what else bankruptcy can do for you? Request a free copy of my Missouri and Illinois bankruptcy book, “Get Out of Debt: Secrets Your Creditors Don’t Want You to Know.” This exclusive free guide includes bankruptcy faq, a checklist for deciding how much debt is too much, and a detailed list of your options for saving your family from the serious consequences of debt. It may just be the information your family needs to finally be safe and sound.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Do you know how filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy can help improve your financial situation? You have probably heard many myths about bankruptcy, such as "you will lose everything." That is definitely not the case as long as you retain the services of an experienced bankruptcy attorney.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Are you worried you will lose the home or vehicle you've worked so hard for because of foreclosure or repossession? A chapter 13 may just be the answer you are looking for to help you quickly save your home or vehicle from being taken.

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Struggling to pay credit card bills? Not answering the phone because you're tired of hearing from bill collectors? Need options? Contact St. Louis attorney Jim Brown to learn how filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Missouri may be able to help. We can stop the harassing phone calls from creditors today.

Medical Bills

Unexpected medical bills can ruin your financial future. If you’ve been suffering under the stress of medical debt, there are options for relief that can keep your family at home without losing everything. Our St. Louis bankruptcy law firm has helped numerous people get rid of debt from medical bills.

Job Loss

Have your hours been cut back because business has been slow or, even worse, have you lost your job? Don’t know how you’re going to pay your bills? Keep a roof over your head? We can help you get your life back. Contact a St. Louis job loss lawyer at Castle Law Office today to learn how filing bankruptcy can help you after loss of employment.

Repossession

If you haven’t been able to make car payments due to financial reasons beyond your control, we can stop the Repo Man and help you keep your car. Call us today for a free consultation.

Garnishment

Wage garnishment can make tough times even worse. If you are being affected by garnishments and cannot provide for your family, call us today. We can show you how to get your life back on track.

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