Florida Wage Garnishment Lawyers
Are you facing wage garnishment and wondering if there are any actions you can take to fight it? If so, we encourage you to reach out to Sweeney Law, P.A. as soon as possible. Every situation is unique, but in many cases, it is in your best interest to consult with a wage garnishment lawyer who can walk you through this difficult time. This month’s blog explores what wage garnishment is and how an attorney can help you manage this financial situation.
What Is Wage Garnishment?
Wage garnishment is when a court requires your employer to withhold a specific amount of your wages and send it directly to the individual or institution to whom you owe money. If a creditor argues that he cannot collect the debt from you through normal means, he can request a judgment for wage garnishment. Your wages can be garnished if you owe back taxes to the IRS, student loans, child or spousal support, or if a court judgment has been issued. There are legal limits on how much of your wages can be garnished. Federal law states that creditors can take no more than 25 percent of your disposable income, or the amount that your income exceeds 30 times the federal minimum wage (whichever is less).
Wage garnishment rules vary depending on the different types of debts. If you only have one debt, you cannot be fired because your wages have been garnished. However, once you have multiple garnishments, you are less protected from retaliation under federal law. States have the option to offer more protection to debtors, but they cannot provide less protection than the federal government. Florida law does not offer more wage garnishment protection, but they do allow employers to charge debtors for having to comply with wage garnishment orders.
To protest a wage garnishment, you need to file papers with the court to request a hearing date. During the hearing, you can present your case, showing that you need more of your paycheck to afford your expenses. The judge can either leave the garnishment in place or terminate it.
How Can a Wage Garnishment Lawyer Help Me?
At Sweeney Law, P.A., we understand the stress that wage garnishment can cause an individual. If a creditor is trying to collect your wages, our experienced wage garnishment lawyers can help you manage this serious situation. Depending upon your unique circumstances, there are various options for handling wage garnishment. Declaring bankruptcy may be an option, but there are other possible solutions as well. At Sweeney Law, P.A., we can also help you fight the creditor in court or renegotiate the debt, depending on your specific situation.
Often, a debt may be the wrong amount, may not be valid, or may be defended under the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. When you speak to one of our experienced attorneys, we will discuss your circumstances and explore the best options. It is important to note that not all types of wage garnishments can be terminated. If you owe child support, alimony, student loans, or back taxes, you must manage these debts through other means.
Sweeney Law, P.A.: Florida Wage Garnishment Attorneys
Our experienced team of lawyers at Sweeney Law, P.A. is committed to assisting you with your wage garnishment situation. Our founding attorney, Brendan A. Sweeney, and his team of knowledgeable attorneys provide full legal representation in business and consumer law. To learn more about how we can help you with wage garnishment, contact Sweeney Law, P.A. today at (954) 951-8727.
