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Wage Garnishment Limits in Nebraska

Nebraska caps garnishment at the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage, and at 15% for a head of family.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Nebraska at a glance

Garnishment limit for consumer debt
Federal limit; 15% for head of family
Federal limit is the lesser of 25% or the amount above 30x the federal minimum wage. A head of family is someone who actually supports a relative or dependent.
Garnishment allowed for consumer debt
Yes
Stricter than federal limit
Only for heads of family
Head of household exemption
Yes, 15% cap

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Nebraska

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

Garnishment limit for consumer debt in Nebraska: Federal limit; 15% for head of family. Federal limit is the lesser of 25% or the amount above 30x the federal minimum wage. A head of family is someone who actually supports a relative or dependent.

Can wages be garnished for ordinary consumer debt in Nebraska?

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

Does Nebraska protect more wages from garnishment than federal law?

Only for heads of family. Stricter than federal limit in Nebraska: only for heads of family.

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

Yes, 15% cap. Head of household exemption in Nebraska: yes, 15% cap.

Where do the Nebraska wage garnishment limits come from?

The rules above come from Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-1558. 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.