🛡Wage Garnishment Defense FLHead of household? They may not be able to touch your pay.
Florida

They're taking your paycheck. Florida may say they can't.

Florida has one of the strongest wage protections in the country: if you're the head of a family and provide more than half of a dependent's support, your wages are exempt from garnishment — all of them, up to $750 a week automatically and above that unless you agreed in writing. But you have to claim it, within 20 days, in the right form. Paste the notice. You get the exemptions that fit, the date, and the words.

Fla. Stat. 222.11 · 222.12 · 77.041English · Español20-day clock computedNothing is stored
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Free check

Paste the notice.

The 'Notice to Defendant of Right Against Garnishment', the writ, or the letter from the employer/bank. The date you received it, who the creditor is, and your household.

Free. Takes a few seconds.

Why this exists

The exemption is automatic in law — and lost in practice, because nobody files the claim.

The notice says you have 20 days. The form is two pages. A sworn statement that you're the head of a family and support a dependent is usually enough to stop a wage garnishment cold.

How it works

Find the exemption. File within 20 days. Show up.

01

Paste the notice

Case number, creditor, the date you received it, what's being garnished, who you support.

02

See which exemptions fit

Head of family (222.11), the $750 rule, bank-account protections (Social Security, wages already deposited, the $1,000 personal-property exemption), and the 20-day date computed.

03

File the claim

The sworn claim-of-exemption and request for hearing, where to file it, who to send copies to, and what to say at the hearing if the creditor objects.

Plans

The check is free. The filing packet is $9 — against 25% of every paycheck.

For one worker. Unions, credit unions and legal-aid clinics license it.

Filing packet
$9one time

The claim-of-exemption affidavit language tailored to your facts, a filing and service checklist (clerk, creditor's attorney, garnishee), a hearing prep sheet with the proof to bring, and a deadline calendar.

  • Affidavit language for head-of-family + other exemptions
  • Filing + service checklist
  • Hearing prep: proof of support, pay stubs, household budget
  • Deadline calendar, EN or ES
Union / CU / legal-aid licence
$99per month

Branded defense tool for members and clients.

  • Your logo and contact
  • Unlimited checks
  • Cancel any time

All prices in USD, handled by Stripe. The free check never goes behind a paywall.

Common questions

Can they really take my whole paycheck?

Not necessarily. Under Florida Statutes chapter 222, if you are the head of a family and provide more than half the support of a dependent, your wages are exempt from garnishment entirely — automatically up to $750 a week, and above that unless you agreed in writing. Paste your notice into the tool to see which exemptions fit your situation. This is general information, not legal advice.

How much time do I have to respond?

Florida law gives you 20 days from the notice to file a claim of exemption, and the tool computes that exact date from your notice under Florida Statutes chapter 77. File with the clerk within that window even if you're unsure you qualify. Confirm the exact filing deadline and procedure with the clerk's office or floridalawhelp.org.

How do I actually claim the exemption?

The claim-of-exemption form is attached to the garnishment notice you received, and the tool gives you the affidavit language and the steps to file it with the court clerk. It does not fill out or file the form for you. If you need help completing it, floridalawhelp.org offers free assistance.

What happens at the garnishment hearing?

The tool explains in plain words what typically happens at the hearing once your claim of exemption is filed, based on Florida Statutes chapters 77 and 222. It cannot represent you or predict the outcome of your specific case. Speak with a legal professional or floridalawhelp.org if you want representation.

Is it really free, and is what I paste stored?

Yes, Wage Garnishment Defense FL is free. The material provided does not state whether pasted notices are stored, so you should not assume anything beyond what's disclosed here. Remember this tool is informational only, not legal advice, and is not affiliated with any court, creditor, or agency.

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