North Carolina Wage Garnishment — Max Percentage, Exemptions & Bans
Your North Carolina wage garnishment snapshot: caps, exemptions, and bans.
North Carolina Wage Garnishment at a Glance
| Max garnishment (consumer debt) | Banned for consumer debt |
|---|---|
| Federal protection floor | $217.50 / week (30 × $7.25 federal minimum wage) |
| Head-of-household exemption | Standard federal rule |
| Exceptions that can still be taken | Child support, unpaid taxes, federal student loans, and court-ordered spousal support can still be garnished. |
| Key source | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-362 |
What This Means in North Carolina
North Carolina generally prohibits wage garnishment for consumer debt; allowed for taxes, support, and federal student loans.
Estimate Your Own Limit
Want a number for your paycheck? Open the North Carolina wage garnishment calculator and enter your weekly disposable income.
This page is a general reference for North Carolina. Garnishment rules differ by debt type and can change with legislation. Confirm current requirements with the North Carolina court or a local attorney before relying on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can be garnished from wages in North Carolina?
For most consumer debt, the federal cap is the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above $217.50/week. North Carolina goes further and generally bans wage garnishment for consumer debt entirely. Child support, taxes, and federal student loans follow separate rules.
Is there a head-of-household protection in North Carolina?
There is no special head-of-household wage exemption written into North Carolina law beyond the federal $217.50/week floor, though some debt types are handled differently. Verify with the court.