How much of my wages can be garnished in Alabama?

Alabama applies the federal CCPA formula with a constitutional personal property exemption.

1. Federal Floor

15 U.S.C. § 1673(a) caps garnishment at the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or amount above 30× federal minimum wage ($217.50/week).

2. Alabama Rule

Ala. Code § 6-10-7 mirrors the federal CCPA limits. The Alabama Constitution art. X § 204 provides a personal property exemption (currently set at $7,750 by statute under § 6-10-6, indexed periodically) that may apply to non-wage personal property and traceable wages on deposit.

3. Special Categories

Child/spousal support: Up to 50-65% under 15 U.S.C. § 1673(b) and Ala. Code § 30-3-60 (Income Withholding).

IRS levy: 26 U.S.C. § 6334.

Federal student loans: 15% under 20 U.S.C. § 1095a.

State tax: Ala. Code § 40-2A-7 — Department of Revenue assessment and levy authority.

4. Head-of-Household Exemption

Alabama has no specific head-of-household wage exemption (separate from the constitutional personal property exemption).

5. Process

Creditor obtains judgment, then files Process of Garnishment under Ala. Code § 6-6-370 et seq. Employer files answer within 30 days. Garnishment is continuing under § 6-6-394. Debtor receives notice and may file Claim of Exemption under § 6-10-20 and § 6-10-29.

6. Multiple Garnishments

Support orders have priority. Among ordinary creditors, the first writ satisfies; subsequent garnishments queue under § 6-6-394.

7. Employer Anti-Retaliation

15 U.S.C. § 1674 prohibits firing for a single garnishment. Alabama adds § 30-3-72 for child-support withholding retaliation specifically.

8. Bank Garnishment vs Wage Garnishment

Bank account garnishment uses the same § 6-6-370 process. Personal property exemption (§ 6-10-6 / Const. art. X § 204) protects up to $7,750 in cash/intangibles for an individual when properly claimed via Schedule of Exemptions. Federal benefit protections under 31 C.F.R. Part 212 apply.

This is legal information, not legal advice.