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Wage Garnishment Limits in Georgia

Georgia allows wage garnishment for consumer debt up to the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount above $217.50 a week, with a 15% cap for private student loans.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Georgia at a glance

Garnishment limit for consumer debt
Lesser of 25% or amount above $217.50 a week
Judgments from private student loans are capped at 15%.
Garnishment allowed for consumer debt
Yes
Stricter than federal limit
No, matches federal limit
Stricter only for private student loan judgments (15%).
Head of household exemption
No

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Georgia

How much of your wages can be garnished for consumer debt in Georgia?

Garnishment limit for consumer debt in Georgia: Lesser of 25% or amount above $217.50 a week. Judgments from private student loans are capped at 15%.

Can wages be garnished for ordinary consumer debt in Georgia?

Yes. Garnishment allowed for consumer debt in Georgia: yes.

Does Georgia protect more wages from garnishment than federal law?

No, matches federal limit. Stricter than federal limit in Georgia: no, matches federal limit. Stricter only for private student loan judgments (15%).

Does Georgia give extra garnishment protection to a head of household?

No. Head of household exemption in Georgia: no.

Where do the Georgia wage garnishment limits come from?

The rules above come from Ga. Code Ann. 18-4-5. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Disposable earnings are what remains after deductions the law requires, such as income tax, Social Security and required withholding. Voluntary deductions like health insurance or retirement contributions are usually not subtracted, so the protected amount is often less than take home pay suggests.

The limits in this guide apply to ordinary consumer debt. Child support, alimony, federal and state taxes, and federal student loans follow separate rules that often allow a larger share of pay to be taken, even in states with strict limits for other debts.

Exemptions are often not applied automatically. A worker may need to file a claim of exemption with the court within a short deadline after receiving notice of the garnishment. Reading the notice promptly, and talking with the creditor about a payment plan or settlement, can keep more of each paycheck.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.