Florida offers one of the most powerful wage garnishment protections in the southeastern United States through its head of household exemption, codified in Florida Statute § 222.11. If you qualify, this exemption can completely eliminate wage garnishment — regardless of how large the debt is or how long the creditor has been pursuing you.
What Is the Head of Household Exemption?
The exemption protects the wages of a person who provides more than half of the financial support for a dependent — a child, spouse, parent, or any other family member who relies on you for more than 50% of their financial support. Under Florida Statute § 222.11, if your weekly disposable earnings are $750 or less, your wages are completely exempt from garnishment. If your weekly disposable earnings exceed $750, you are still protected on the greater of $750 per week or the amount by which your earnings exceed 25% of disposable income.
Who Qualifies as Head of Household?
You must be providing more than half of the financial support for at least one dependent, and that support must be ongoing and regular. Courts have interpreted "dependent" broadly — a parent supporting an adult child in college, a worker supporting an elderly parent, or a single parent with primary custody of children all typically qualify. Documentation matters: tax returns showing dependent claims, bank statements showing regular transfers to a dependent, or affidavits from the dependent can all support your claim.
How to Claim the Exemption
The exemption is not automatic — you must actively claim it within 20 days of being served with the garnishment notice by completing and returning the Claim of Exemption and Request for Hearing form. If the creditor challenges your claim, a hearing is scheduled before a judge, typically within 30 days. The exemption does not protect against garnishment for child support, alimony, IRS tax levies, or federal student loans.
Use our Florida Wage Garnishment Calculator to find out exactly how the $750 threshold and head of household rules apply to your specific paycheck. You can also compare protections with other states using our Wage Garnishment Comparison tool and explore exemption rules across the country on our States Wage Garnishment Guide.
Need Help Beyond the Calculator?
If you're dealing with wage garnishment challenges in Florida, professional help may be the fastest path forward. Visit our Resources page to explore vetted options for legal help.
For more insights on protecting your income, see How to Stop Wage Garnishment in Florida and How to File a Wage Garnishment Exemption. To understand your rights as an employee, check out Can My Employer Fire Me for Wage Garnishment? Finally, if your earnings include bonuses or commissions, our article Can Bonuses, Commissions, Overtime, or Severance Be Garnished? covers that topic thoroughly.
Use the above resources and tools to take control of your wage garnishment situation today.