In Michigan, a creditor with a money judgment can garnish the lesser of 25% of your disposable earnings for a workweek or the amount by which your weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage. Michigan has not enacted a more protective general cap for ordinary consumer debts, so it follows the federal ceiling set by the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA). Because the federal minimum wage is still $7.25 an hour as of 2026, that floor works out to roughly $217.50 in weekly disposable earnings that cannot be touched at all. If you earn that amount or less in a week after legally required deductions, a regular creditor cannot garnish any of that paycheck.
This matters because the rule genuinely differs by state. A few states (such as Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South Carolina) bar wage garnishment for most ordinary consumer debts entirely, and several others protect more than the federal 25%. Michigan is not one of those states for general creditors: it tracks the federal maximum. So the practical question for most Michiganders is not whether wages can be garnished, but how to make sure the creditor takes no more than the law allows and that your exempt income is protected.
How Michigan's 25% Rule Actually Works
"Disposable earnings" is the key term. It does not mean your gross pay and it does not mean whatever is left after rent and groceries. Under federal law, which Michigan applies, disposable earnings are your gross pay minus the deductions required by law — federal, state, and local income tax, Social Security and Medicare (FICA), and state unemployment insurance. Voluntary deductions like a 401(k) contribution, health insurance premium you elect, or union dues do not reduce disposable earnings for garnishment purposes.
The garnishment cap is then the smaller of these two figures:
- 25% of your weekly disposable earnings, or
- The amount your weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage (30 × $7.25 = $217.50 as of 2026).
For pay periods longer than a week, the same math is converted — for example, the protected floor is multiplied to a monthly or biweekly equivalent. The result is that lower-wage workers are shielded by the dollar floor, while higher earners are capped at the flat 25%. Note that Michigan's own state minimum wage is considerably higher than the federal $7.25 and has been changing, but the garnishment formula uses the federal minimum wage for the 30-times calculation. Always confirm the current minimum-wage figures before relying on a specific dollar amount.
Periodic Garnishments Now Run Until the Debt Is Paid
Michigan overhauled its garnishment procedure effective September 30, 2015. Before that change, a writ of periodic garnishment (the kind aimed at wages) expired after 91 days and the creditor had to file again. Under current Michigan law, a periodic wage garnishment generally stays in effect until the judgment, interest, and costs are paid in full. That makes it more important than ever to challenge an improper garnishment promptly rather than waiting for it to lapse.
Income That Is Exempt From Garnishment in Michigan
Several categories of income are protected entirely, even from a valid judgment. If a creditor garnishes a bank account or wages containing these funds, you can claim the exemption to get the money back or stop the deduction. Protected sources commonly include:
- Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits
- Veterans' benefits
- Unemployment compensation
- Workers' compensation payments
- Public assistance and welfare benefits, including cash assistance and food assistance
- Most pension, retirement, and IRA funds
- Certain child support and spousal support you receive
Federal law independently protects Social Security and most federal benefits even after they land in a bank account, and banks are required to automatically protect a cushion of recent direct-deposited federal benefits when an account is frozen. Still, you should not assume the protection happens by itself for every dollar — commingling exempt benefits with other money can complicate things, so it helps to keep protected income in a separate account.
Debts That Can Take More Than 25%
The 25% ceiling is for ordinary creditors such as credit-card companies, medical debt collectors, and personal-loan lenders. Some debts follow different, often harsher, rules:
- Child support and alimony: Under the CCPA, up to 50% of disposable earnings can be taken if you support another spouse or child, and up to 60% if you do not — with an extra 5% if you are more than 12 weeks behind. Michigan enforces support primarily through income-withholding orders.
- Unpaid federal and state taxes: Tax agencies can levy wages under their own rules, which are not capped at 25%.
- Federal student loans: The U.S. Department of Education can administratively garnish up to 15% of disposable pay without a court judgment.
How to Claim an Exemption or Object in Michigan
When a creditor files a writ of garnishment, you must be served with a copy and with a garnishee disclosure and an exemption notice. This is your window to act, and the deadline is short.
- File an objection within 14 days. Under the Michigan Court Rules, you generally have 14 days after you receive the garnishment papers to file a written objection with the same court that issued the writ. Valid grounds include that the funds are exempt, that the garnishment exceeds the legal limit, that the judgment has already been paid or vacated, or that you were never properly served in the underlying case.
- Use the official court forms. Michigan provides standardized State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) forms — the objection form and the garnishment exemption notice — available free from the Michigan courts' self-help resources. You do not need a lawyer to file, though one can help.
- Request a hearing. Filing the objection triggers a court hearing where you can show pay stubs, benefit award letters, and bank records proving the income is exempt or that the math is wrong.
- Ask about a hardship or installment arrangement. Even where a garnishment is valid, you can sometimes negotiate a payment plan with the creditor or ask the court to consider your circumstances.
If you believe a debt collector is garnishing illegally, misrepresenting the amount owed, or harassing you, the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) gives you additional rights against third-party collectors. Errors that show up on your credit report are governed by the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Where to Verify and Get Help
Because dollar floors and minimum-wage figures change, confirm current numbers and procedures before acting. The Michigan Department of Attorney General, Consumer Protection Team investigates unfair and deceptive practices and publishes consumer alerts; you can file a complaint with that office if a collector or creditor is acting unlawfully. Michigan's official courts website provides the garnishment forms and instructions, and the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and U.S. Department of Labor explain the federal garnishment caps that Michigan follows. For your specific situation, especially if exempt benefits are being seized, consider contacting a Michigan legal aid organization or a consumer-rights attorney — many offer free initial consultations and the FDCPA can require a losing collector to pay your attorney's fees.
Official Michigan Sources
This page is based on Michigan law. Limits and deadlines change — verify the current details directly with the official Michigan sources below. This is general legal information, not legal advice.
Federal law also applies. Federal laws like the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act protect you nationwide, on top of Michigan’s own rules.
Frequently asked questions
How much of my paycheck can a creditor garnish in Michigan?
Michigan follows the federal cap: the lesser of 25% of your disposable earnings for the week, or the amount your weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage (about $217.50 as of 2026). Disposable earnings are gross pay minus legally required deductions like taxes and FICA.
Does Michigan ban wage garnishment like some states?
No. Unlike Texas, Pennsylvania, or the Carolinas, Michigan allows ordinary creditors with a court judgment to garnish wages up to the federal 25% limit. It does not provide a broader general exemption for consumer debts.
How long do I have to object to a garnishment in Michigan?
Generally 14 days after you receive the garnishment papers. You file a written objection on the SCAO form with the court that issued the writ, stating grounds such as exempt income, an incorrect amount, or a paid or vacated judgment, and the court schedules a hearing.
Can my Social Security or unemployment be garnished in Michigan?
Not for ordinary debts. Social Security, SSI, veterans' benefits, unemployment, workers' compensation, and public assistance are exempt. Keep these funds in a separate account, because commingling them with other money can make claiming the exemption harder.
Does a Michigan wage garnishment ever expire on its own?
For periodic wage garnishments issued under the law effective September 30, 2015, the writ generally stays in effect until the judgment, interest, and costs are paid in full, rather than expiring after 91 days as under the old rule.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and may not reflect the most current law or the law in your jurisdiction. Laws vary by state and change over time. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.
