What happens at a wage garnishment hearing in Florida?

Use the free tool — Wage Garnishment Defense FL

Why you got this notice

A garnishment notice means a creditor asked a court to take money directly from your paycheck or bank account to pay a debt. Florida law gives you rights and a short window to act.

The 20-day deadline

You have 20 days from the date you received the notice to file a claim of exemption, under Florida Statutes chapter 77. File with the clerk within that window even if you are not sure you qualify.

Which exemptions might apply

If you are head of a family and provide more than half the support of a dependent, your wages are exempt from garnishment under Florida Statutes chapter 222, section 222.11 — automatically up to $750 a week, and above that unless you agreed to the garnishment in writing.
Money in a bank account may also be protected, including Social Security funds, wages already deposited, and a $1,000 personal-property exemption.

How to claim the exemption

The claim-of-exemption form is attached to the garnishment notice you received. It must be a sworn statement, filed with the clerk of court, with copies sent to the parties involved. This guide gives you affidavit language and the filing steps — it does not fill out or file the form for you.

What happens at the hearing

If you file a claim of exemption, the creditor can object. If they do, the court sets a hearing. At the hearing, you explain why the exemption applies — for example, that you are head of family supporting a dependent. The judge decides whether the garnishment continues, stops, or is limited. This guide, based on Florida Statutes chapters 77 and 222, explains in plain words what typically happens — it cannot represent you or predict the outcome of your case. Speak with a legal professional or floridalawhelp.org if you want representation.

What this guide can't tell you

Federal debts like taxes and student loans, and child support orders, follow different rules than those described here. Whether pasted notices are stored by this tool is not stated in the material available, so don't assume anything beyond what's disclosed. Always confirm exact deadlines and procedures with the clerk's office. This is general information, not legal advice.

What to do next

Paste your garnishment notice into the free tool. It reads your own document and numbers — your case number, the date you received the notice, what's being garnished, and who you support — and tells you which exemptions fit, the exact 20-day deadline computed from your notice, the claim-of-exemption steps and affidavit language, and what happens at the hearing. It does not fill out or file forms for you. For free legal help, see floridalawhelp.org.

Use the free tool

Wage Garnishment Defense FL is an informational tool based on Florida Statutes chapters 77 and 222 and 15 U.S.C. 1673 as of 2025–26. It is not legal advice and does not file anything. Federal tax levies, federal student-loan administrative garnishments and child-support orders have separate rules and limits. It is not affiliated with any court, creditor or agency.