1. What is California Wage Garnishment?

In California, wage garnishment is limited by law to the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or 50% of disposable earnings minus the state exemption amount. This protects a portion of earnings from being garnished.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the California garnishment formula:

Where:

• \( Disposable \) — Disposable earnings after required deductions
• \( Exemption_{CA} \) — California exemption amount (changes periodically)

Explanation: The formula ensures garnishment doesn't exceed federal limits while accounting for California's specific exemption amount.

3. Importance of Garnishment Calculation

Details: Accurate garnishment calculation ensures compliance with California law while maximizing debt recovery within legal limits.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter disposable income (after taxes and required deductions) and current California exemption amount. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What counts as disposable earnings?
A: Disposable earnings are what remains after legally required deductions (taxes, Social Security, etc.), not voluntary deductions.

Q2: How often does the exemption amount change?
A: California adjusts the exemption amount periodically based on cost of living changes.

Q3: Are there different rules for child support?
A: Yes, child support garnishments have higher limits (up to 50-65% of disposable earnings).

Q4: What if multiple garnishments exist?
A: Total garnishments cannot exceed the maximum calculated amount.

Q5: Are all earnings subject to garnishment?
A: No, certain benefits like Social Security and disability are generally protected.