Surviving on a middle-class income in most cities is difficult, so when even the smallest portion of those wages is being withheld, it makes it nearly impossible to get by. For this reason, it is important for people to understand how to stop wage garnishment in Seattle and regain control of their financial situation. Wages are garnished when a person owes a debt but does not make efforts to repay it. When this happens, the creditor will usually sue the debtor to obtain payment for that debt. The most common reasons people find their wages garnished are to recover money owed in back taxes, student loans, child support, or alimony. Creditors can also sue a person over other types of debt and obtain the same ruling. The most important first step a person can take when they find themselves in a position where their wages are being garnished is to contact an attorney specializing in bankruptcy law. An attorney with this background will be able to advise their client on the best form of action to take. One option to help stop wage garnishment is to file for chapter 7 bankruptcy. In many cases, though, when one of the above-listed debts is owed, it is unlikely that the debt will be completely erased. Debt owed to the government is very difficult to have forgiven. Filing for chapter 7 does stop all wage garnishments, however, and therefore may be a good option to consider to at least temporarily prevent money from being taken from each paycheck. When filing for bankruptcy, particularly chapter 7, there are many hoops to jump through and deadlines to meet. Trying to navigate through the process alone can be overwhelming for a person unfamiliar with the paperwork and procedures involved. To ensure nothing is overlooked and no mistakes are made, it really is in the best interest of anyone considering filing for any type of bankruptcy to contact an attorney first. Another option that should be considered early on is to contact creditors directly and try to work something out with them. As long as some type of payment is being made monthly, most creditors will not file a lawsuit. If the payments a creditor is asking of a person seem too high, it may be beneficial to contact the creditor and see if there is any flexibility in the amount due each month. When a payment plan is discussed and worked out early, the possibility of wage garnishment decreases. It could be helpful this early in the process to contact an attorney to discuss options and see if they could be of service when dealing with the creditors directly. It is important for a person to know and understand their rights in regards to wage garnishment to ensure there is not more money coming out of their paycheck than is legally allowed. The amount allowed is no more than 25% of earned income, and is calculated after all other deductions and withholdings have been made. Attorneys specializing in bankruptcy law have experience with these situations and know their clients’ rights inside and out. There is really no reason to struggle through the process alone when there is a knowledgeable attorney close by who can help. There are many difficult credit situations that can leave a person in a position where their wages are being garnished, but really just one clear solution when dealing with the issue: contact an attorney who specializes in bankruptcy law. While declaring bankruptcy might not always be the best answer, an attorney will be able to help clients decide the best method of how to stop wage garnishment in Seattle.
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