CA Garnishment Law
California provides significantly stronger wage garnishment protections than federal law. While federal law protects earnings up to 30 times the federal minimum wage ($217.50/week), California protects earnings up to 40 times the California state minimum wage ($16.00/hr), meaning $640.00 per week is shielded from garnishment. This makes California one of the most protective states in the nation for wage earners facing garnishment.
| State abbreviation | CA |
|---|---|
| Consumer debt limit | 25% of disposable earnings, subject to the 40x minimum wage test |
| Child support limit | 50% if supporting another family, 60% otherwise, plus 5% for arrears |
| Federal student loans | 15% administrative garnishment cap |
| State minimum wage | $16.00 |
| Minimum wage source used in calculator | California minimum wage |
| Head of household protection | No additional protection listed |
| Statute reference | California Code of Civil Procedure §706.050 |
California provides stronger protections than federal law. The state protects 40 times the state minimum wage (not federal), which is significantly more protective given California's $16.00/hr minimum wage. This means $640/week is protected in California vs. $217.50 under federal law.
Tax levy note: California Franchise Tax Board can garnish up to 25% of disposable earnings for state tax debts without a court order.