What does a garnishment look like on a paystub?

Before they can garnish your wages, a creditor must first file a lawsuit against you, and you must be served with written notice of this lawsuit. If the creditor wins the lawsuit, they can obtain an order to garnish your salary if the state allows wage garnishments.

It is important to keep in mind that this is for private organizations. A government agency does not need a court order to garnish your wages; however, they must still notify you of the garnishment. In some states, your employer will be legally required to notify you of the garnishment.

For example, in California, an employer must give the employee a copy of the garnishment order within ten days of receiving it. In most cases, employees will know beforehand that their wages are subject to garnishment, but there are some exceptions to this rule.

For example, if an IRS levy was sent to your old address, you likely would not be aware that your wages would be garnished in the near future. If you do not receive a notification, the reduction in your salary may be a surprise. In this case, ask your employer for an explanation. If the reason is due to wage garnishment, request a copy.