How long does it take a creditor to get a garnishment?
Matthew Harrington
Updated on February 17, 2026
Wage garnishment typically starts within five to 30 days after approval. The exact time will vary depending on the creditor and the state.
How do creditors find you to garnish wages?
Other than a court order or getting you to volunteer that information over the phone, creditors can look at your credit report to see if you have listed a current employer on a recent credit application, This means that if you have applied for any new credit in the last year or so, then they may be able to set up a …
How long does it take for a creditor to garnish your bank account?
How long does it take to garnish a bank account? Typically 1-2 weeks. Once a judgment creditor files a motion for a writ of garnishment, the court will typically issue the writ within a few days. Some courts/judges take longer than others.
How long does it take for employer to garnish wages?
Federal law – and in some cases state law – limits the amount your employer can withhold from your wages for a wage garnishment. State law determines the process creditors must follow to garnish wages, including the length of time it takes to initiate the garnishment.
What happens if my creditor garnishes my wages?
Paying the Garnishment. If the creditor proceeds with the garnishment (that is, you don’t settle the debt or stop it some other way), the creditor will reduce your total balance by the amount of money taken from each paycheck. Also, for many types of debts, you’ll have to pay interest. For example, if the garnishment is due to a money judgment,…
How much money has been garnished in the last year?
Over $665 million in wages were garnished in the last fiscal year alone (October 1, 2015 – September 30, 2016). It takes a while to reach the point where wages are garnished, which means consumers have opportunities to avoid it.
What happens if you fail to show up for a wage garnishment hearing?
Failure to show up at a court hearing will likely ensure a garnishment judgment against you. Explore all available alternatives to avoid wage garnishment, including debt settlement and debt consolidation. Once initiated, wage garnishment will generally continue until stopped by court order or until the debt is paid in full.
