How to Stop Wage Garnishment Immediately in Milwaukee
What might your debt problems mean for your future? For most people, owing money is nothing new, but things can get far worse than simply having to deal with annoying creditors. You might soon discover that wage garnishment makes it harder than ever to get back to a healthy financial state.
Want to learn how to stop wage garnishment immediately? Here’s what to know about dealing with the system the right way.
Wage Garnishment Explained
Wage garnishment is when a court awards a creditor the right to take money directly from your paycheck. For instance, if you fall behind on your home loan, the bank might seek a garnishment order — Instead of paying you your full paycheck amount, your employer will have to withhold more than normal to resolve your debt.
Wage Garnishment Rules
Wage garnishment can be a tricky topic. Although there are limitations to when creditors can pursue orders, most are willing to jump the hurdles if it means they’re more likely to get their money. Some creditors, such as government entities, education lenders and child support recipients, don’t even have to get court judgments to garnish your income.
Wisconsin maintains some extra protections for debtors who find themselves in certain situations. For instance, if you took out a payday loan, then the lender can’t garnish your wages to get the money back. State law also includes exemptions for individuals and families who fall below predetermined poverty limits, and judges may make further allowances for debtors who can prove they have special circumstances or hardships.
How to Stop Wage Garnishment Immediately
What about the majority of Milwaukee debtors who don’t qualify for wage garnishment relief or exemptions? In the legal community, filing for bankruptcy is often viewed as the most viable solution.
Contrary to popular belief, bankruptcy doesn’t simply mean that you’re out of money. Instead, it’s a form of temporary legal status that carries unique rights designed to prevent people who can’t pay their debts from facing dire circumstances. One of these benefits is the right to an automatic stay.
An automatic stay is a court-ordered halt, or injunction, on debt collection actions. Most creditors can’t pursue garnishments while an injunction is in effect, and a hold lasts until your bankruptcy case gets resolved. In other words, you’ll have extra time to formulate and enact a plan.
Not all automatic stays are equivalent. For instance, Chapter 7 injunctions don’t affect wage garnishments related to child support or alimony. Although you can gain temporary relief from these obligations by filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you’ll still have to come up with an agreeable plan for repaying those debts over the next 3 to 5 years.
Is Bankruptcy the Answer to Your Wage Garnishment Issues?
Filing for bankruptcy may be your best option when you want to stop a wage garnishment order immediately and recover from debt. It’s essential, however, to leverage this powerful tool correctly.
Talk to an experienced, reputable lawyer to ensure you make the right choices for a debt-free future. Get in touch to learn why so many families in Milwaukee, Waukesha, and the rest of Wisconsin entrust their financial well-being to Burr Law Office. Call (262) 827-0375 today.