How to Resolve a Garnishment
- 1). Contact the institution garnishing your property. Note that once the establishment has obtained a garnishment against you, it might be reluctant to stop it. Still, it is possible. For instance, if you owe the IRS back taxes and it garnishes your bank account, contact the agency and see if it can stop the garnishment. It is especially possible if you have a good reason for not paying the debt, such as if you moved and did not receive the garnishment notice as a result.
The IRS might be able to set up you up on a payment that suits your budget. Furthermore, if you default on student loans and the IRS begins to garnish your tax refund checks, see if it can give you a deferment or a forbearance, which temporarily stops your loan payments. - 2). File a hardship claim with the court that issued the garnishment. If the garnishment makes it impossible for you to sustain a living, file a hardship claim. Typically, the garnishment paperwork the court sends you includes information on how and when to file the claim. For instance, in the case of a student loan garnishment, you must complete a financial disclosure form stating your income and expenses. Until the court rules in your favor, the garnishment continues.
- 3). Make a complete payment. Pay off the garnishment in full if you have the money. If you do not have all the funds but expect them within a relatively short time frame, contact the institution. It might stop collection activities to allow you time to get the money together.
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