1. What is Virginia Wage Garnishment?

Virginia wage garnishment laws allow creditors to collect a portion of a debtor's earnings, but with protections for the debtor. The garnishment amount is the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which disposable earnings exceed the Virginia exemption amount.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Virginia garnishment formula:

Where:

• \( Disposable \) — Earnings after legally required deductions
• \( Exemption_{VA} \) — Virginia's protected amount from garnishment

Explanation: Virginia law protects either 25% of disposable income or the amount above the exemption, whichever is less.

3. Importance of Garnishment Calculation

Details: Proper calculation ensures compliance with Virginia law while maximizing creditor recovery. It helps both debtors understand their protected income and creditors determine allowable garnishment amounts.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter disposable earnings (after taxes and other required deductions) and the current Virginia exemption amount. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What counts as disposable earnings in Virginia?
A: Disposable earnings are what remain after legally required deductions like taxes, Social Security, and unemployment insurance.

Q2: How often is the Virginia exemption amount updated?
A: The exemption amount may change periodically. Check with the Virginia Department of Labor for current amounts.

Q3: Are all debts subject to wage garnishment in Virginia?
A: No, certain debts like child support, alimony, and taxes may have different garnishment rules.

Q4: Can my employer fire me for wage garnishment in Virginia?
A: Virginia law protects employees from being fired solely because of one garnishment order.

Q5: Are there federal limits that might apply?
A: Yes, federal law sets a baseline protection of 25% of disposable income or 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is less.