Wage Garnishment Lawyer in Cleveland

Over 22,000 Cases Filed. One Focus: Stopping Your Garnishment.

A wage garnishment order means your employer is already withholding a portion of your paycheck before you ever see it. Under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2716, that withholding continues every pay period until the full judgment balance is paid, including court costs and accrued interest. Losing up to 25% of take-home pay while covering everyday expenses is a crisis that demands a fast, informed response. Knevel Law Co. LPA handles wage garnishment as part of a practice built entirely around bankruptcy and debt relief, not as a side service in a general law office.

Our attorneys have filed over 22,000 bankruptcy cases, counseled more than 100,000 clients on financial matters, and bring more than 50 years of combined experience to every consultation. That depth means we can evaluate every available path to addressing a garnishment, from filing for bankruptcy to Ohio-specific non-bankruptcy alternatives, in a single meeting. Knevel Law Co. LPA holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

If your wages are being garnished right now, don’t wait for the next paycheck. Call (216) 450-6689 to schedule your free consultation with our Cleveland wage garnishment attorneys.

Ohio Garnishment Limits & Your Rights as an Employee

Ohio law caps what a general creditor can take. A judgment creditor may garnish no more than 25% of your disposable earnings per pay period, where disposable earnings means your take-home pay after legally required deductions such as taxes. That cap applies to wages and, in certain circumstances, continues to apply even after those earnings are deposited into a personal checking account.

Ohio law also protects your job. Under ORC Section 2716.05, an employer can’t discharge an employee solely because one judgment creditor has successfully garnished that employee’s wages within a 12-month period. It’s worth knowing that certain debts, including unpaid income taxes, child support, spousal support, and defaulted federal student loans, can be garnished without a separate court judgment, and different limits may apply to those categories.

How Bankruptcy Can Halt a Wage Garnishment

Filing for bankruptcy triggers the automatic stay, a federal court order that immediately halts virtually all collection activity, including wage garnishment. The moment a petition is filed, wage withholding is generally required to stop. Any garnishment funds collected after the filing date while the stay is in effect may need to be returned.

Two bankruptcy chapters are most relevant for Cleveland workers facing garnishment:

• Chapter 7: Can eliminate qualifying unsecured debts entirely. Creditors can’t resume garnishing wages for debts that are discharged. The process is typically completed in a matter of months.
• Chapter 13: Reorganizes debt into a multi-year repayment plan. Attorney fees and court filing fees can often be paid through the plan itself, which helps clients who can’t cover upfront costs.

After filing, our firm notifies your employer’s payroll department of the automatic stay so the withholding can stop as quickly as possible. A creditor may petition the court to lift the stay in certain circumstances, and if a case is dismissed without discharge, garnishment of any remaining non-discharged debt may resume.

Non-Bankruptcy Options for Stopping a Garnishment

Bankruptcy isn’t the only path. Ohio law provides several tools we can evaluate alongside bankruptcy, depending on your situation.

• Ohio Trusteeship: You can apply to the court to appoint a trustee to manage payments to your creditors. A creditor can’t garnish wages while a valid trusteeship is in place.
• Challenging the Underlying Judgment: If the court judgment that authorized the garnishment can be challenged or vacated, the garnishment itself can stop.
• Challenging Excessive Garnishment: We can review whether the creditor is taking more than the legal amount. Creditors who exceed statutory limits or improperly reach checking account funds may be subject to legal challenge.
• Negotiated Settlement: In some situations, negotiating a payment agreement or debt settlement directly with the creditor may prevent or end a garnishment without court action.

Why Cleveland Clients Trust a Firm That Does This Every Day

General practice firms handle debt matters alongside dozens of other case types. Our entire practice is focused on bankruptcy and complex financial matters. That focus is one reason clients throughout Cleveland and Cuyahoga County have turned to Knevel Law Co. LPA for help with difficult financial situations. We have offices in Downtown Cleveland and Garfield Heights, placing us close to the communities we serve.

We know no two financial situations are alike, and we take the time to understand yours before recommending a course of action. With over 22,000 cases filed, more than 100,000 clients counseled, and an A+ BBB rating, our clients describe us as caring, professional, and efficient.

Get a Free Wage Garnishment Consultation in Cleveland

Your first conversation with our firm costs nothing. We can review your situation, explain the options available under Ohio law, and help you understand which path makes the most sense for your circumstances. We serve clients in Cleveland, Garfield Heights, and throughout Cuyahoga County.

Call (216) 450-6689 or complete our online form to schedule your free consultation with Knevel Law Co. LPA today.