WageCaps

West Virginia Wage Garnishment — Max Percentage, Exemptions & Bans

Your West Virginia wage garnishment snapshot: caps, exemptions, and bans.

West Virginia 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 exemptionStandard federal rule
Exceptions that can still be takenChild support, unpaid taxes, and federal student loans follow separate (often higher) limits.
Key sourceCCPA Title III, 15 U.S.C. § 1673

What This Means in West Virginia

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 West Virginia wage garnishment calculator and enter your weekly disposable income.

This page is a general reference for West Virginia. Garnishment rules differ by debt type and can change with legislation. Confirm current requirements with the West Virginia court or a local attorney before relying on it.

By Marcus Lindqvist, J.D.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can be garnished from wages in West Virginia?

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; West Virginia follows the federal framework. Child support, taxes, and federal student loans follow separate rules.

Is there a head-of-household protection in West Virginia?

There is no special head-of-household wage exemption written into West Virginia law beyond the federal $217.50/week floor, though some debt types are handled differently. Verify with the court.