Is Your Paycheck Being Garnished? Let's Talk About Your Options.

If a creditor is taking money out of your paycheck, or you have just been told it is about to happen, it can feel like you have run out of time. You haven't. Call my office and we can talk about where you stand and what options you have.

I'm Chris Vonderau. I've practiced law since 1994 and have helped people with bankruptcy since 2000. My office is in Wilmington, NC.

How I can help

When a bankruptcy case is filed, the law generally requires most creditors to stop collection efforts, including wage garnishment. This is called the automatic stay. It is one of the main reasons people call me when a garnishment has started.

Some creditors, including government agencies like the IRS and the North Carolina Department of Revenue, can garnish wages in many situations. If you are being garnished by a government agency, call me. Whether and how bankruptcy can help depends on the type of debt.

I take urgent garnishment cases, and I can usually file within a few days. How fast depends on your situation and on how quickly we get the documents we need from you.

Timing and deadlines

• Garnishments often start soon after a creditor gets a court judgment, so it helps to call as soon as you get a notice or see a smaller paycheck.

• After a case is filed, your employer and the creditor have to be notified. It can take a short time for your payroll to adjust, so a paycheck or two may still be affected.

• If you were served with a lawsuit, a judgment, or a garnishment notice, bring it with you or have it ready when you call. Any dates on it matter.

What to have ready when you call

• Any garnishment notice, court papers or letters from a creditor

• Your most recent pay stubs

• A list of the debts you know about

How to reach me

Office hours: Monday to Thursday 8 AM to 4 PM, Friday 8 AM to 1 PM. The office is closed on weekends.

The first conversation is a free 30-minute phone consultation.

Every situation is different. Results depend on your facts. This page is general information, not legal advice.