How do I get my money back from a garnishment?
Sophia Koch
Updated on February 15, 2026
In many circumstances, filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy can help you get back money that was garnished from your paycheck.
How are garnishments paid?
Wage garnishment happens when a court orders that your employer withhold a specific portion of your paycheck and send it directly to the creditor or person to whom you owe money, until your debt is resolved. Your earnings will be garnished until the debt is paid off or otherwise resolved.
How do I account for wage garnishment?
First, set up an Other Current Liability type account to record the amount withheld from employee’s pay:
- Go to Lists >Chart of Accounts.
- Right click and choose to add New.
- Choose Other Current Liability as the account type.
- Name it Wage Garnishments Payable.
How to find out remaining balance on wage garnishment?
Additionally, the creditor or its attorney must inform the court when the debt is paid in full so the garnishment can be released. Check with your creditor about the remaining balance.
How do you pay a garnishment on a credit card?
The debtor’s employer has to withhold the required amount and forward the money to the creditor until the garnishment is paid in full. You can subtract what you’ve paid toward the garnishment so far from the original balance to determine how much you have left to pay.
Can a bank withhold money from a wage garnishment?
With court-ordered wage garnishment, an employer is legally allowed to withhold a specific amount of money from the debtor’s paycheck and send it directly to the creditor. The debtor’s bank, therefore, plays no role in the wage garnishment, because the deduction occurs before the paycheck is even cashed.
When does a court order a wage garnishment?
Wage garnishment happens when a court orders that your employer withhold a specific portion of your paycheck and send it directly to the creditor or person to whom you owe money, until your debt is resolved. Child support, consumer debts and student loans are common sources of wage garnishment.
