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Wage garnishment and exemptions in Louisiana

Louisiana 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

Louisiana follows the federal limit on wage garnishment. Federal limit applies: you keep 75% of your disposable earnings, and never less than 30 times the federal minimum wage per week ($217.50). We could not confirm a general dollar amount protected in a bank account in Louisiana; directly deposited federal benefits are still protected (31 CFR 212.6).

Wage limit
25% (federal limit)
Federal benefits in a bank account
Up to 2 months protected
Law
La. R.S. 13:3881(A)(1)

How much can they take from your paycheck in Louisiana?

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 Louisiana

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

in the Debt lawsuits section

Louisiana's limit on wage garnishment

Wage limit
Federal limit applies: you keep 75% of your disposable earnings, and never less than 30 times the federal minimum wage per week ($217.50).
Law
La. R.S. 13:3881(A)(1)

Louisiana is one of 17 states in our 48 state guides that use the federal limit (15 U.S.C. 1673(a)).

In nearby states

What creditors can't take in Louisiana

  • Home: up to $35,000 of value; the full value is protected against debts from a catastrophic or terminal illness or injury (La. R.S. 20:1).
  • One vehicle: up to $15,000 of equity, and a second one up to $15,000 if you are married or have a licensed driver child in the home; $20,000 for a vehicle adapted for a disability (La. R.S. 13:3881(A)(7), (8), as amended by Acts 2026, No. 55).
  • Household furniture, appliances, clothing and pets are also protected (13:3881(A)(4)).

Good to know in Louisiana

  • Acts 2026, No. 55 (HB 135) amended La. R.S. 13:3881: the vehicle exemption rose from $7,500 to $15,000 of equity, the exemption for a vehicle adapted for a disability rose from $7,500 to $20,000, and health savings accounts (up to the yearly IRS family limit) are now exempt.

Money in your bank account in Louisiana

Directly deposited Social Security, SSI, VA and certain other federal benefits are protected up to two months' worth, without filing anything (31 CFR 212.5, 212.6). How garnishment follows a lawsuit.

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: no lawsuit is needed: up to 15% of disposable pay, after at least 30 days' written notice (20 U.S.C. 1095a).
  • Other debts owed to a federal agency: an agency can garnish up to 15% of disposable pay, and you keep at least 30 times the federal minimum wage a week (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).

No garnishment without a judgment in Louisiana

If you do not answer in time, the creditor can ask the court for a default judgment against you.

The time to answer in Louisiana: 21 days after you are served in district court, or 30 days if discovery requests were served with the petition (La. C.C.P. art. 1001).

Got court papers? Count your answer deadline →

in the Debt lawsuits section

What to do if you are sued in Louisiana

How to claim an exemption in Louisiana

  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. Apply Louisiana's wage rule

    Louisiana's wage rule: Federal limit applies: you keep 75% of your disposable earnings, and never less than 30 times the federal minimum wage per week ($217.50).

  3. Check your bank deposits

    Check that the bank protected your direct-deposited benefits (31 CFR 212.6).

  4. Ask the court to protect your money

    Ask the court clerk for the exemption claim form and file it by the deadline.

Questions about garnishment in Louisiana

Can a creditor take my wages in Louisiana, and how much?

Federal limit applies: you keep 75% of your disposable earnings, and never less than 30 times the federal minimum wage per week ($217.50).

What property is protected from creditors in Louisiana?

Home: up to $35,000 of value; the full value is protected against debts from a catastrophic or terminal illness or injury (La. R.S. 20:1). One vehicle: up to $15,000 of equity, and a second one up to $15,000 if you are married or have a licensed driver child in the home; $20,000 for a vehicle adapted for a disability (La. R.S. 13:3881(A)(7), (8), as amended by Acts 2026, No. 55). Household furniture, appliances, clothing and pets are also protected (13:3881(A)(4)).

Related Louisiana pages

Wage garnishment in nearby states

Sources and last check

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources