Being garnished via the Wage ATT1 on your pay check can be debilitating, especially if you are living check to check.
You may have noticed a WAGE ATT 1 on your paycheck if you have an ongoing wage garnishment. Most people reach out to us asking about the WAGE ATT 1.
Here is a complaint that Debt Collection Answer Received (source):
"Hi, I work for UPS, and last week I noticed a WAGE ATT 1 on my check for the first time. The check had deducted $44.54, and I didn't know about it. So, I went to the HR office and inquired about it. They told me they would get back to me in 24 hours with information on who had requested the wage garnishment. I was shocked, and my main concern was how wage garnishment could take Effect without me knowing. I struggle with my bills, and I work there part-time. The amount is too much for me since I struggle to remain afloat and pay rent. What does WAGE ATT 1 mean, and how do I fight this?"
Our article will explain everything you need to know about WAGE ATT 1.
It is the description on your paycheck denoting a wage garnishment, commonly known as a wage attachment. Therefore, it is abbreviated as WAGE ATT. The number beside the abbreviation, e.g., WAGE ATT 1, indicates the number of wage garnishments you have. This example indicates it is the first wage garnishment you have received. Unfortunately, that is all the information you get. There is no information on the debt causing the garnishment on your wages.
Wage garnishment can be erroneous and inconvenient, especially if you don't know about it. If you have a wage garnishment on your debt, you can try to stop it. At Ascend, we have built a free calculator to help you stop wage garnishment.
Top reasons why your wages are being garnished:
Note that wage garnishment is illegal for debt in some states like North and South Carolina, Texas, and Pennsylvania.
Is your creditor taking more than what they should be taking. We built the following free wage garnishment based on your state's guidelines to help you:
The calculator is 100% free, and does not even require an email address unless you'd like additional analysis.
No, the law does legally obliged your employer to let you know about the wage garnishment in advance. On the other hand, the court expects them to react immediately to the notification, failure to which they may pay fines and penalties.
However, you might get to know about the garnishment before it occurs if it is related to consumer debt. Your creditor should let you know they may be taking legal action against you and notify you of their motion to get a wage garnishment order.
So. If you get the notification and fail to appear in court and explain yourself, the court may rule a default judgment, which may favor the creditor. They can then push for a wage garnishment order against you.
You could fight the wage garnishment if the creditor did not inform you of the suit. It is best to consult a consumer law attorney before taking any action on your own. Working with a lawyer also increases your chances of winning if you decide to fight against it.
A wage garnishment may be a percentage of your wages. However, some state laws impose limits on the amount of garnishment. Additionally, federal laws, such as Title III, protect a portion of your disposable income from garnishment. The limit remains irrespective of the number of wage garnishments on your wages.
If you recently noticed a wage garnishment, it is normal to wonder how long it may last. A wage garnishment order lasts until a debtor pays off the the total amount of debt. Usually, the debt includes the principal amount, penalties or interests, and court fees. So, knowing as much as possible about the garnishment is essential.
Yes, there are some things you can do. First, find out the creditor who sued you and had a wage garnishment order against you. You can easily do this by asking your employer for a copy of the wage garnishment order they received.
In case your employer is not helpful, you can get to the court and request information on the order. You can find records of a debt collection lawsuit in a state civil or small claims court. If that doesn't help, talk to a consumer law attorney and have them research it for you.
We recommend seeking the help of a consumer lawyer. If you cannot afford the services of one, you can do your research, evaluate your options for fighting back, and take a swing at it.
If you know you owe a debt and the wage garnishment order is legit, you can try taking action. For example, you can try to negotiate with the creditor and ask to work out a debt settlement. You can also contact a debt settlement company to help with the negotiation. For a debt settlement to work, you need to have a lump sum saved.
You can also file for bankruptcy if you don't have the money. Bankruptcy may stop all actions from creditors, including nullifying a wage garnishment order.You can also use our wage garnishment options calculators and get accurate answers to guide your decision.
