Tennessee Wage Garnishment — Max Percentage, Exemptions & Bans
Your Tennessee wage garnishment snapshot: caps, exemptions, and bans.
Tennessee Wage Garnishment at a Glance
| Max garnishment (consumer debt) | 25% of disposable earnings |
|---|---|
| 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, and federal student loans follow separate (often higher) limits. |
| Key source | CCPA Title III, 15 U.S.C. § 1673 |
What This Means in Tennessee
Follows the federal CCPA Title III cap for consumer debt: the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 30 × the federal minimum wage ($217.50/week). Child support, unpaid taxes, and federal student loans follow separate, often higher, limits. Verify the current rule with the state court or a local attorney.
Estimate Your Own Limit
Want a number for your paycheck? Open the Tennessee wage garnishment calculator and enter your weekly disposable income.
This page is a general reference for Tennessee. Garnishment rules differ by debt type and can change with legislation. Confirm current requirements with the Tennessee court or a local attorney before relying on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can be garnished from wages in Tennessee?
For most consumer debt, the federal cap is the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above $217.50/week. Some states add more protection; Tennessee follows the federal framework. Child support, taxes, and federal student loans follow separate rules.
Is there a head-of-household protection in Tennessee?
There is no special head-of-household wage exemption written into Tennessee law beyond the federal $217.50/week floor, though some debt types are handled differently. Verify with the court.