Roman Law Firm
Bankruptcy Attorney in DC, VA, and MD
See what a Virginia consumer-debt creditor may take from your paycheck — and what you keep.
Reviewed May 20, 2026 · by Roman Chebotarev, Esq. · Va. Code § 34-29
Two inputs and you'll see what's protected under Va. Code § 34-29.
Consumer debt
Enter disposable wages and pay frequency to see the estimated Virginia consumer-debt limit.
The calculator gives general information, not legal advice. It does not decide whether a judgment, writ, service, exemption claim, or defense is valid.
Virginia combines the federal 25 percent cap with a state-specific 40x wage floor.
For ordinary creditor garnishments, Virginia caps the garnishment at 25 percent of disposable earnings when that is the smaller number.
Virginia also protects wages up to 40 times the greater of the federal or Virginia minimum hourly wage. In 2026, Virginia's $12.77 rate controls.
Section 34-4.2 may add protection for parents supporting dependent minor children, but it requires a timely court claim.
Child support, tax debt, and federal AWG follow separate rules. The menu routes those users to official resources.
Federal law bars an employer from firing a worker because pay was garnished for one debt. More than one order collecting that same debt still counts as one debt. The federal rule may not protect a worker whose pay is garnished for a second debt. The number of debts, not the number of orders, is what matters.
Sources: 15 U.S.C. § 1674 and the U.S. Department of Labor’s CCPA guidance. State law may provide additional protection.
The calculator uses the numbers below. Use the court links if a summons has already reached your employer.
For ordinary creditor wage garnishments, Virginia uses the lesser of 25 percent of disposable earnings or the amount above 40 times the greater of federal or Virginia minimum wage.
| Virginia minimum wage used | $12.77/hour |
|---|---|
| Weekly 40x floor | $510.80/week |
| Percent cap | 25 percent of disposable earnings |
| Dependent-child exemption | Claim-driven advisory only |
Reviewed May 20, 2026. Sources: Va. Code Section 34-29 and Virginia DOLI 2026 minimum wage notice.
Use these resources if you need to check a summons, claim exemptions, or ask for help.
Under Va. Code Section 34-29(a), the ordinary creditor limit is the lesser of 25 percent of weekly disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 40 times the greater of the federal or Virginia minimum hourly wage.
The calculator uses Virginia's $12.77 minimum wage effective January 1, 2026. Because that is higher than the federal $7.25 rate, the Virginia rate controls the 40x floor for 2026.
Virginia’s definition includes wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, payments to an independent contractor, and periodic payments from a pension or retirement program. Whether a particular payment can be garnished may still depend on other exemptions and the type of debt.
Section 34-4.2 can add a weekly wage exemption for parents supporting dependent minor children, but it is not automatic. You must meet the income and residency conditions and file the required forms before or on the return date.
For homestead and related wage exemption claims, file before or on the return date printed on the DC-451 or CC-1486 garnishment summons. If you file a request for hearing, the court must set a hearing within seven business days.
No. Support withholding, state or federal tax debt, and federal Administrative Wage Garnishment follow different rules. The menu points those users to official resources.
This calculator is Virginia-specific. If you live or work elsewhere in the DMV, use the Maryland calculator or the DC calculator for that jurisdiction's rules.
The Virginia formula above is built from these primary sources, last reviewed May 20, 2026.
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Review clearance planningThe calculator estimates the Virginia wage limit. It does not decide whether the judgment is valid, whether bankruptcy is the better tool, or whether a defense applies.
Compare the estimate with the amount withheld and the return date on the summons.
Roman Law Firm reviews the garnishment alongside consumer-debt lawsuits, bankruptcy timing, and filing options.