Delaware Wage Garnishment Laws Explained

Delaware provides stronger wage garnishment protections than the federal baseline by limiting consumer debt garnishment to 15% of disposable earnings, compared to the federal maximum of 25%. This means Delaware workers keep at least 85% of their disposable earnings, providing meaningful additional protection.

Delaware's Lower Garnishment Limit

While federal law allows up to 25% of disposable earnings to be garnished, Delaware caps this at 15%. This 10-percentage-point difference can save workers hundreds of dollars per pay period. Delaware also uses the federal 30x minimum wage threshold as an additional protection floor.

Calculate your garnishment with our Delaware Wage Garnishment Calculator or check calculators for other states like California Wage Garnishment Calculator, Texas Wage Garnishment Calculator, and Florida Wage Garnishment Calculator.

Delaware Garnishment Process

In Delaware, a creditor must obtain a court judgment and then apply for an attachment of wages. The attachment is served on your employer, who must begin withholding the specified amount. Delaware courts oversee the garnishment process and can modify orders based on changed circumstances. Learn more about Can My Employer Fire Me for Wage Garnishment?

Exemptions in Delaware

Delaware exempts Social Security benefits, veterans benefits, unemployment compensation, and workers compensation from garnishment. Retirement benefits also receive some protection. If garnishment would cause undue hardship, you can petition the court for a reduction. For guidance, see How to File a Wage Garnishment Exemption.

Taking Action

If facing garnishment in Delaware, consider negotiating a settlement or filing an exemption claim. You can also compare Delaware with other states using our comparison tool or visit our States page for detailed information.