Wage garnishment question (pay, medical, garnished, obtain)

[cleasach]

The employer of a friend of mine notified last week that they received a notice to garnish his pay for a back debt. He was foolish in not paying his bills and ignoring collection notices but he cannot afford to lose the money they are going to take from him.

Currently, he has his paychecks doled out to the penny and barely scrapes by every month. Once they start taking this money he's going to be in deep.

I suggested that he take a night job as a waiter or bartender or something to make up for the loss but he's wondering if there's any chance that those who ordered this garnishment will adjust it in some way if he calls them and tells them this will really cause a hardship.

I have no clue. I've never had a situation like this. My immediate thought was that since he ignored them and now they will collect the full amount through the garnishment they have no incentive whatsoever to do a damn thing for him. I didn't tell him that though.

Is my assessment of the situation accurate? I don't even know how much they are taking from him. Is there some sort of maximum that can be taken?

[molochai2580]

I had my wages garnished for an old medical bill, and by the time it had reached that point they said "too bad so sad" that I wouldn't be able to make my other bills if they took the money.

As far as how much they can take it varies from state to state.

[Briolat21]

They won't care. The time for him to negotiate was when they were trying to collect from him WITHOUT a court order. Now that they've obtained a court order, it won't matter to them if they destroy him.

Sorry for your friend, your suggestion of a second job may not be a bad idea.

[sweetana3]

If it is the IRS, yes, call them asap. If it does not work, call the Taxpayer Advocate.