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Wage garnishment and exemptions in Nevada

In Nevada, how much of your pay can be taken depends on your situation. Plus what a creditor can't touch in your bank account and what property you keep.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026

Short answer

Nevada's limit depends on your situation. A creditor can take the lesser of: 18% of your weekly disposable earnings if your gross weekly pay is $770 or less (25% if more), or the amount by which your weekly disposable earnings exceed 50 times the federal minimum hourly wage. In a bank account: If federal benefits such as Social Security were deposited electronically in the last 45 days, $2,000 (or the whole balance, if less) stays available to you automatically.

Wage limit
18–25%
Federal benefits in a bank account
Up to 2 months protected
Law
NRS 31.295(2); NRS 21.105; NRS 21.090(1)(z)

How much can they take from your paycheck in Nevada?

Credit cards, medical bills and other ordinary debts, once a creditor has a 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 Nevada

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: Nevada 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 Nevada

Wage limit
Stricter than federal. A creditor can take the lesser of: 18% of your weekly disposable earnings if your gross weekly pay is $770 or less (25% if more), or the amount by which your weekly disposable earnings exceed 50 times the federal minimum hourly wage.
Law
NRS 31.295(2); NRS 21.105; NRS 21.090(1)(z)

Federal law caps garnishment at 25% of disposable earnings or less (15 U.S.C. 1673(a)); where Nevada's rule protects more, it applies.

In nearby states

Money in your bank account in Nevada

If federal benefits such as Social Security were deposited electronically in the last 45 days, $2,000 (or the whole balance, if less) stays available to you automatically. Otherwise $400 (or the whole balance, if less) is protected automatically (NRS 21.105). You can also claim up to $10,000 in other personal property, including money in the bank, as exempt (NRS 21.090(1)(z)).

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). More in our guide to debt lawsuits.

What creditors can't take in Nevada

  • Homestead: up to $605,000 of equity in your home (NRS 115.010(2)).
  • Vehicle: one vehicle if your equity is $15,000 or less (NRS 21.090(1)(f)).
  • Wildcard: up to $10,000 of other personal property you choose, including bank deposits (NRS 21.090(1)(z)).

Other kinds of debt follow other 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: an IRS levy leaves you an exempt amount based on your standard deduction and dependents; return the Statement of Dependents and Filing Status your employer gives you within 3 days (26 U.S.C. 6334(a)(9), (d); IRS wage levy rules).

The lawsuit comes first in Nevada

If you don't answer in time, the creditor can ask the court for a default judgment against you. That can lead to wage garnishment or a bank levy.

The time to answer in Nevada: 21 days after you are served with the summons and complaint (Justice Court, JCRCP 12(a)).

Got court papers? Count your answer deadline →

in the Debt lawsuits section

What to do if you are sued in Nevada

Protecting your pay and property in Nevada

  1. Keep every paper

    Look for the date to claim exemptions on every court, employer or bank notice.

  2. Apply Nevada's wage rule

    Nevada's wage rule: A creditor can take the lesser of: 18% of your weekly disposable earnings if your gross weekly pay is $770 or less (25% if more), or the amount by which your weekly disposable earnings exceed 50 times the federal minimum hourly wage.

  3. Look at your bank account

    Nevada also protects money in an account: If federal benefits such as Social Security were deposited electronically in the last 45 days, $2,000 (or the whole balance, if less) stays available to you automatically. Check that the bank protected your direct-deposited benefits (31 CFR 212.6).

  4. File the exemption claim

    File the court's exemption claim form before the deadline; the clerk has it. Start with Nevada court self-help (official).

Questions about garnishment in Nevada

What is the wage garnishment limit in Nevada?

Stricter than federal. A creditor can take the lesser of: 18% of your weekly disposable earnings if your gross weekly pay is $770 or less (25% if more), or the amount by which your weekly disposable earnings exceed 50 times the federal minimum hourly wage.

Is money in my bank account protected in Nevada?

If federal benefits such as Social Security were deposited electronically in the last 45 days, $2,000 (or the whole balance, if less) stays available to you automatically. Otherwise $400 (or the whole balance, if less) is protected automatically (NRS 21.105). You can also claim up to $10,000 in other personal property, including money in the bank, as exempt (NRS 21.090(1)(z)).

Can a creditor take my home or car in Nevada?

Homestead: up to $605,000 of equity in your home (NRS 115.010(2)). Vehicle: one vehicle if your equity is $15,000 or less (NRS 21.090(1)(f)). Wildcard: up to $10,000 of other personal property you choose, including bank deposits (NRS 21.090(1)(z)).

Are my Social Security and VA benefits safe in a Nevada bank account?

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). If federal benefits such as Social Security were deposited electronically in the last 45 days, $2,000 (or the whole balance, if less) stays available to you automatically.

More for Nevada

Sources and last check

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources