What is garnishee?

A garnishee is a legal process in which a court orders that a portion of an individual's wages or bank account be withheld and paid to a person or organization to whom the individual owes money. This process is typically used to collect unpaid debts, such as back taxes, child support, or judgments from creditors.

The garnishee process can be initiated by a creditor who obtains a court order to garnish an individual's wages or bank accounts. The court order is then served on the individual's employer or bank, who must withhold the specified amount and remit it to the creditor.

In some cases, a garnishee may be challenged by the individual whose wages or bank accounts are being garnished. This may involve disputing the amount of the debt owed, arguing that the garnishment would cause financial hardship, or challenging the legality of the court order.

Garnishment laws vary by state and may have limitations on the amount that can be garnished, exemptions for specific types of income, and other protections for debtors. Overall, garnishment is a powerful tool used by creditors to collect unpaid debts, but it can also have a significant impact on the financial well-being of the individual whose wages or bank accounts are being garnished.