Wage Garnishment & Bank Levies
How a Bankruptcy Attorney in Torrance Can Assist You
Did you know that if you are unable to pay your debts, creditors can take money out of your paychecks and even wipe out your entire bank account? At the Law Offices of James C. Shields, we help people address these harsh debt collection tactics through the protections of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Our lawyers can help you evaluate the protections that may be available.
We bring nearly 20 years of experience to personalized bankruptcy and debt-relief matters. Our approach is thorough, responsive, and focused on keeping you informed as we review your circumstances. Los Angeles Superior Court recognition for representing wards, conservatees, and mediating probate disputes reflects the professional trust placed in our work.
How to Stop Wage Garnishment Effectively
If you are in debt and a creditor receives a judgment against you, that creditor may garnish your wages. In consumer-debt cases, a wage garnishment may take up to 20 percent of wages, although the amount withheld and any available exemption depend on the applicable facts.
At our Torrance bankruptcy law firm, Law Offices of James C. Shields, we help people facing wage garnishment.
Need protection from wage garnishment? Contact us at (310) 626-4404 today
Understanding Bank Levies in California
Another creditor action is freezing bank accounts to pay debts, also known as a bank levy. A judgment creditor may use a Writ of Execution and a levying officer to pursue funds held in a bank account.
Unlike garnishment, a bank levy is subject to different exemption procedures. Creditors may seek funds up to the amount owed, plus court fees, but certain assets are protected under state and federal law. Whether funds are protected can depend on their source, account history, and the applicable exemption law.
After a creditor places a levy on a bank account, your account may be frozen and the time to respond can be short. A Claim of Exemption is a request to protect exempt funds, and the deadline and required steps should be confirmed from the levy notice and current California procedure.
With a Claim of Exemption, you can seek to protect the following benefits:
