Can a debt collector ever garnish my wages?
In California, debt collectors may be able to garnish your wages, depending on your particular situation. A garnishment is the legal process where a creditor, such as a debt collector, can take money out of your paycheck to repay your debt. Typically, debt collectors must first obtain a court order before they can garnish your wages. In California, creditors can garnish up to 25% of your wages minus an exemption, which lets you keep a portion of your wages. Additionally, creditors must follow both state and federal laws on garnishment, including providing you with notice before taking any action. However, in many cases, debt collectors will not pursue garnishment due to the added costs or complexity. Instead, debt collectors are more likely to try to negotiate with you or sue you in order to collect the debt. If a debt collector does pursue a garnishment against you, it is important to remember that you have certain rights. You should contact an attorney if you believe that a debt collector is attempting to illegally garnish your wages. An attorney can help determine if the garnishment is legal and advise you on your rights.
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