wage attachment

Wage attachment, also known as wage garnishment, is a court order by which the court attaches debtors' wages to help pay their creditors by directly transferring the wages to the creditors. Although a wage attachment order can be obtained for all kinds of debts, it is most commonly issued for debts related to child support, taxes, government fines that are unpaid and defaulted educational loans.

According to the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA), an employer must not discharge an employee when the employee’s earnings are subject to wage garnishment (see: 15 U.S. Code § 1674). In this instance, earnings not only cover wages, but also salary, commission, bonuses, and other periodic payment based on pension or retirement programs. However, it does not include tips. (See: 15 U.S. Code § 1672; Garnishment).

[Last reviewed in March of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team]

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