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Wage Garnishment Limits in North Dakota

In North Dakota, garnishment for consumer debt is limited to the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 40 times the federal minimum wage, reduced by $20 a week for each dependent living with the worker.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

North Dakota at a glance

Garnishment limit for consumer debt
Lesser of 25% or amount above 40x federal minimum wage
The weekly maximum is reduced by $20 for each dependent family member living with the debtor.
Garnishment allowed for consumer debt
Yes
Stricter than federal limit
Yes, 40x minimum wage floor
Head of household exemption
Yes, $20 a week per dependent
The debtor must give the employer a signed list of dependents within 10 days of the garnishment summons.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in North Dakota

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

Garnishment limit for consumer debt in North Dakota: Lesser of 25% or amount above 40x federal minimum wage. The weekly maximum is reduced by $20 for each dependent family member living with the debtor.

Can wages be garnished for ordinary consumer debt in North Dakota?

Yes. Garnishment allowed for consumer debt in North Dakota: yes.

Does North Dakota protect more wages from garnishment than federal law?

Yes, 40x minimum wage floor. Stricter than federal limit in North Dakota: yes, 40x minimum wage floor.

Does North Dakota give extra garnishment protection to a head of household?

Yes, $20 a week per dependent. Head of household exemption in North Dakota: yes, $20 a week per dependent. The debtor must give the employer a signed list of dependents within 10 days of the garnishment summons.

Where do the North Dakota wage garnishment limits come from?

The rules above come from N.D.C.C. 32-09.1-03. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

Support orders, Chapter 13 bankruptcy orders and state or federal tax debts are not covered by these limits.

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.