Utah Wage Garnishment: How It Works
Short answer: A Utah creditor with a judgment against you can generally garnish the lesser of 25% of your disposable earnings, or the amount by which your weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage — whichever is less. Certain income, like Social Security and child support you receive, is generally exempt from garnishment entirely.
Who this guide is for
Anyone who has a judgment against them and is trying to understand how much of their paycheck can actually be taken — or anyone who has a judgment in their favor and is considering garnishment as a collection method.
How the general garnishment cap works
Utah follows the standard two-part test also used at the federal level: a creditor can take whichever is less of:
- 25% of your disposable earnings (income left after legally required deductions like taxes), or
- The amount your weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage
This second part protects lower-income earners — if your paycheck is close to that 30x-minimum-wage threshold, little or nothing may be garnishable even though the 25% figure alone might suggest otherwise.
Child support is a different, higher limit
For past-due child support specifically, up to 50% of disposable earnings can be garnished (again, capped by the same "amount exceeding 30x minimum wage" comparison) — a notably higher limit than ordinary debt judgments.
What income is generally exempt from garnishment
Utah's Notice of Garnishment and Exemptions identifies categories of income that are generally protected, including:
- Social Security benefits
- Veterans' benefits
- Child support payments you receive
If garnishable funds in your bank account are actually made up of exempt income (for example, Social Security deposits), you may be able to claim that exemption — this is a process worth understanding if you believe exempt funds have been targeted.
How garnishment actually starts
A judgment alone doesn't garnish anything automatically. The judgment creditor has to apply for a writ of garnishment, directed at a specific third party holding your money or property — most commonly your employer (for wages) or your bank (for an account). The creditor generally needs to identify that specific target before the court will issue the writ.
If you're the one being asked to garnish someone (an employer or bank)
Utah Courts publishes a dedicated page on the responsibilities of garnishees — the third party (like an employer) served with a writ. If your business receives a writ of garnishment for an employee, review that guidance directly, since garnishees have their own legal obligations and deadlines once served.
What to do if you're being garnished and believe it's wrong
Raise it with the court promptly — whether the issue is an incorrect exemption calculation, exempt funds being targeted, or a dispute about the underlying judgment itself. Waiting reduces your options.
Frequently asked questions
Can more than one garnishment happen at the same time? Multiple creditors and multiple garnishments can create complicated priority questions — this is a good situation to get a clear read on rather than assume.
Does garnishment end automatically once the debt is paid off? Garnishment should stop once the judgment is satisfied, but confirm this with the court or your employer rather than assuming it's tracked automatically.
Can my employer fire me for being garnished? Federal law provides some protection against termination for a single garnishment — but the specifics, and how they interact with Utah law, are worth confirming for your situation.