Can credit card companies garnish wages in Minnesota?
Sophia Koch
Updated on February 08, 2026
Minnesota wage garnishment laws limits how much judgment creditors can garnish (take) from your paycheck. For instance, if you’re behind on credit card payments or owe a doctor’s bill, those creditors can’t garnish your wages unless they sue you and get a judgment.
What payments can be garnished?
Child support, consumer debts and student loans are common sources of wage garnishment. Your earnings will be garnished until the debt is paid off or otherwise resolved. You have legal rights, including caps on how much can be taken at once. And you can take steps to lessen the effect and help you bounce back.
How long can a debt collector try to collect in Minnesota?
As you can see in the chart above, debt collectors in Minnesota have between four and six years from the last payment to pursue legal action, depending on the type of debt….
| Minnesota Statutes of Limitations on Debt | |
|---|---|
| Mortgage debt | 6 years |
| Medical debt | 6 years |
| Credit card | 6 years |
| Auto loan debt | 4 years |
Can a creditor garnish your wages in Minnesota?
Before a creditor can start to garnish your wages or bank account, it must first have started a lawsuit to collect money that it claims you owe. If the creditor obtains a judgment against you—regardless of whether it’s a judgment after a hearing or trial or a default judgment—Minnesota law allows the creditor to begin the garnishment process.
Can a credit card company garnish your paycheck?
Credit card companies can garnish (take) your wages just like most other creditors. However, before taking part of your paycheck, the credit card company must first: sue you in court. obtain a money judgment, and. get a court order directing your employer to deduct funds.
When do you not have to pay a wage garnishment?
Follows federal wage garnishment guidelines. Follows federal wage garnishment guidelines unless the debtor is a laborer or mechanic, in which case 60 days of wages are exempt, and after that, the first $25 earned per week is also exempt from wage garnishment.
How are pensions protected from garnishment in Minnesota?
Pensions and retirement benefits: Minnesota provides some of the broadest protection to pensions and other retirement savings and benefits Not only are public employee pensions protected from garnishment, but retirement benefits generally, including IRAs, enjoy broad exemptions from garnishment.
