Support Garnishment Takes Half the Paycheck: The Priority No Other Debt Has

Ordinary creditors nibble at wages; child support takes real bites. Federal law allows support withholding up to half of disposable earnings or more — ahead of every other garnishment in line.

What California Law Says

The Consumer Credit Protection Act permits support withholding of 50 percent of disposable earnings for a payor supporting another family, 60 percent otherwise, plus 5 percent more when arrears exceed 12 weeks — and support assignments outrank tax levies, creditor garnishments, and everything else competing for the check.

How to Collect, Step by Step

1. Verify the withholding percentage in effect — arrears cases support the higher tiers.
2. Request arrears withholding on top of current support in the earnings assignment.
3. Monitor remittances against the order monthly; shortfalls compound quietly.
4. Chase job changes immediately — the priority only works when the assignment follows the payor.
5. Stack tools: garnishment for the steady flow, levies and intercepts for the lumps.

Common Questions

He already has a credit card garnishment. Do I wait in line?

No — support jumps the line; the consumer garnishment yields, and your assignment takes its full percentage first.

He works two jobs. Can both be garnished?

Yes — assignments can issue to multiple employers, allocated across them to reach the ordered amounts.