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Wage garnishment and exemptions in Alabama

Alabama uses the federal 25% limit on wage garnishment. Here is what is protected in your bank account, the property you can keep and how to claim an exemption.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026

Short answer

Alabama follows the federal limit on wage garnishment. Federal limit applies: you keep 75% of your wages (Ala. Code § 6-10-7), and federal law also protects 30 times the federal minimum wage per week ($217.50). For consumer credit debts the state law uses the same federal formula (Ala. Code § 5-19-15). In a bank account: No separate bank account amount. Money in the bank can count toward the $7,500 personal property exemption (Ala. Code § 6-10-6).

Wage limit
25% (federal limit)
Federal benefits in a bank account
Up to 2 months protected
Law
Ala. Code §§ 6-10-7, 5-19-15, 6-10-6; 15 U.S.C. § 1673

How much can they take from your paycheck in Alabama?

For an ordinary debt such as a credit card or medical bill, after a court judgment.

Pay after taxes and other deductions the law requires, before voluntary ones such as a 401(k).

Enter your take-home payThe most a creditor can take appears here.

An estimate, not legal advice.

Deadline and form to protect your money in Alabama

The papers from the court, your employer or your bank list the deadline to claim an exemption. Ask the court how to file the claim: Alabama court self-help (official).

Pay or bank account being taken? Claim an exemption →Get the exemption claim letter →

in the Debt lawsuits section

Your paycheck and garnishment in Alabama

Wage limit
Federal limit applies: you keep 75% of your wages (Ala. Code § 6-10-7), and federal law also protects 30 times the federal minimum wage per week ($217.50). For consumer credit debts the state law uses the same federal formula (Ala. Code § 5-19-15).
Law
Ala. Code §§ 6-10-7, 5-19-15, 6-10-6; 15 U.S.C. § 1673

Like 17 of the 48 states we cover, Alabama relies on the federal cap (15 U.S.C. 1673(a)).

In nearby states

Also in Alabama

  • Your home exemption is higher if you are 62 or older or have a disability: $56,400 instead of $15,000 (Ala. Code § 6-10-2, Act 2026-203).
  • If the debt comes from a consumer credit deal, a creditor cannot garnish your wages before it wins a court judgment (Ala. Code § 5-19-15).
  • Act 2026-203 amended the homestead exemption (Ala. Code § 6-10-2): $15,000, or $56,400 for people 62 or older or with a disability.

What creditors can't take in Alabama

  • Home: the statute lists $15,000, or $56,400 if you are 62 or older or have a disability (Ala. Code § 6-10-2, amended by Act 2026-203).
  • Personal property: $7,500 of your choice, plus clothing and family items (§ 6-10-6).
  • The State Treasurer adjusts these amounts for inflation every 3 years (§ 6-10-12), so the current numbers may be higher.

What Alabama protects in a bank account

No separate bank account amount. Money in the bank can count toward the $7,500 personal property exemption (Ala. Code § 6-10-6).

Two months of federal benefits paid by direct deposit are off-limits to a garnishment, and the bank applies this on its own (31 CFR 212.5, 212.6). Read the debt lawsuit guide.

Child support, student loans and taxes: different limits

  • Child support: the cap is 50% of disposable earnings (60% if you support no other spouse or child), plus 5% when payments are over 12 weeks behind (15 U.S.C. 1673(b)).
  • Federal student loans: the government can take up to 15% of disposable pay without suing you, but must mail you notice at least 30 days first (20 U.S.C. 1095a).
  • Other debts owed to a federal agency: up to 15% of disposable pay, and never below the federal 30-times-minimum-wage floor (31 CFR 285.11).
  • Federal taxes: the IRS uses its own exempt amount, set by your standard deduction and dependents; give your employer the Statement of Dependents and Filing Status within 3 days (26 U.S.C. 6334(a)(9), (d); IRS wage levy rules).

The lawsuit comes first in Alabama

If you do not answer or do not show up, the judge can decide the case without you and enter a default judgment. You have 14 days after a small claims judgment to appeal to Circuit Court.

The time to answer in Alabama: 14 days after you are served in District Court, which includes small claims (Ala. R. Civ. P. 12(dc)).

Got court papers? Count your answer deadline →

in the Debt lawsuits section

What to do if you are sued in Alabama

Claiming your exemptions in Alabama

  1. Watch for deadlines

    Note any deadline to claim exemptions on papers from the court, your employer or your bank; it can be short.

  2. Know Alabama's limit

    Alabama's wage rule: Federal limit applies: you keep 75% of your wages (Ala. Code § 6-10-7), and federal law also protects 30 times the federal minimum wage per week ($217.50).

  3. Check your bank deposits

    Alabama also protects money in an account: No separate bank account amount. Money in the bank can count toward the $7,500 personal property exemption (Ala. Code § 6-10-6). Check that the bank protected your direct-deposited benefits (31 CFR 212.6).

  4. Claim your exemptions in court

    Get the exemption claim form from the clerk and file it in time. Start with Alabama court self-help (official).

Questions about garnishment in Alabama

How much of my paycheck can be garnished in Alabama?

Federal limit applies: you keep 75% of your wages (Ala. Code § 6-10-7), and federal law also protects 30 times the federal minimum wage per week ($217.50). For consumer credit debts the state law uses the same federal formula (Ala. Code § 5-19-15).

Can a creditor empty my bank account in Alabama?

No separate bank account amount. Money in the bank can count toward the $7,500 personal property exemption (Ala. Code § 6-10-6).

What property is protected from creditors in Alabama?

Home: the statute lists $15,000, or $56,400 if you are 62 or older or have a disability (Ala. Code § 6-10-2, amended by Act 2026-203). Personal property: $7,500 of your choice, plus clothing and family items (§ 6-10-6). The State Treasurer adjusts these amounts for inflation every 3 years (§ 6-10-12), so the current numbers may be higher.

Can a collector take Social Security from my bank account in Alabama?

Two months of federal benefits paid by direct deposit are off-limits to a garnishment, and the bank applies this on its own (31 CFR 212.5, 212.6). No separate bank account amount. Money in the bank can count toward the $7,500 personal property exemption (Ala. Code § 6-10-6).

Related Alabama pages

Wage garnishment in nearby states

Sources and last check

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources