Being in debt is overwhelming, and when your wages get garnished, it makes it even harder to get out of debt. The skilled and compassionate team at Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols understands and is here to help. Our dedicated St. Louis, MO wage garnishment lawyer is available to discuss your situation—and your options.
Wage garnishment happens when a court orders your employer to withhold a portion of your paycheck to pay back a debt. This can come from unpaid credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, or even back taxes and child support. Once garnishment begins, it can feel like there’s no way to catch up, especially when your take-home pay is already stretched thin.
How Garnishment Starts
Most wage garnishments don’t happen overnight. In many cases, creditors must first file a lawsuit and win a judgment before they can request a garnishment order. Once that happens, your employer receives notice and is legally required to withhold a certain percentage of your earnings. That money is then sent directly to the creditor until the debt is paid off—or until legal action is taken to stop it.
In some situations, like unpaid taxes or federal student loans, garnishment can begin without a court judgment. Either way, the result is the same: you’re left with less income to cover basic living expenses.
Legal Options To Stop Garnishment
If you’re facing wage garnishment, you do have legal options. One effective way to stop garnishment is by filing for bankruptcy. When you file, an automatic stay goes into effect. This stay immediately stops most collection actions, including wage garnishment.
If you are in over your head with debt, a bankruptcy lawyer can help you to determine what your options are. They can determine whether or not you qualify for things such as your income taxes to be discharged or whether or not your student loan debt can be discharged through bankruptcy, to name just a few of the many issues a bankruptcy lawyer can help with.
Even if bankruptcy isn’t right for you, there may be other ways to challenge or limit the garnishment. For example, you may be able to claim exemptions based on your income level or financial hardship. In some cases, we can negotiate directly with creditors to arrange a different payment plan.
Why Timing Matters
Acting quickly is important when it comes to wage garnishment. The longer it continues, the more difficult it can be to manage household expenses or stay on top of other bills. It can also impact your ability to qualify for housing, loans, or credit in the future.
When you speak with us, we’ll review your situation and help you decide on the best course of action based on your goals, income, and debt load. The sooner we start, the more options you may have available.
Talk To Us About Your Next Step
Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols has been helping people with a range of legal needs for a collective 80+ years. We have offices throughout Illinois and one in St. Louis. We have 24/7 live answering so that you do not have to feel like you are alone during the stressful times in your life. We are here to help. Reach out to us any time.