Wage garnishment in Montana
On these earnings, Montana caps ordinary garnishment at $200 a week. Figures assume $1,000 gross and $800 disposable earnings in a week, for ordinary consumer debt.
| Limit | Weekly maximum |
|---|---|
| Federal (Title III)15 U.S.C. §1673 | $200 |
| MontanaMont. Code Ann. §25-13-614 | $200 |
Montana tracks federal Title III — 25% of disposable earnings or the excess over 30x the federal minimum wage, whichever is less, taking its definitions straight from 15 U.S.C. §1672.
the maximum part of the aggregate disposable earnings of an individual for any workweek that is subjected to garnishment may not exceed the lesser of: (a) 25% of the individual's disposable earnings for that week; or (b) the amount by which the individual's disposable earnings for that week exceed 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage.
What this does not cover
- Recorded so Montana is not confused with a state nobody has read. It matches the federal limit rather than beating it.
Source: Montana Legislature — Mont. Code Ann. §25-13-614, read 2026-08-22.
Work out your own Montana garnishment
Already set to Montana. Enter your pay and this applies both limits — Montana’s and the federal one — and shows whichever binds. Disposable earnings are computed for you, so a voluntary deduction cannot quietly shrink the garnishment base.
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Montana garnishment: common questions
How much of my paycheck can be garnished in Montana?
Montana tracks federal Title III — 25% of disposable earnings or the excess over 30x the federal minimum wage, whichever is less, taking its definitions straight from 15 U.S.C. §1672. On $1,000 gross and $800 disposable earnings a week, that works out to $200. Federal law alone would allow $200.
Do these limits cover child support or back taxes in Montana?
No. Every figure here is for ORDINARY consumer debt. Child support and alimony carry their own, much higher federal limits — 50% to 65% of disposable earnings depending on whether you support another family and how far in arrears you are. Tax levies and bankruptcy orders are separate again, and Montana carves out further exceptions listed above.
How much can be garnished for a federal student loan in Montana?
Montana's limit above does not apply. A defaulted federal student loan can be collected by administrative wage garnishment without a court judgment, "notwithstanding any provision of State law" (31 U.S.C. §3720D). The most it can take is 15% of disposable pay, and never so much that you keep less than 30 times the federal minimum wage — $217.50 a week (34 C.F.R. §34.19). On $800 of disposable earnings a week that is $120. Private student loans are different: they are ordinary consumer debt, need a court judgment first, and follow Montana's limit.
What counts as disposable earnings?
Under federal law it is gross pay minus deductions REQUIRED by law: income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and legally mandated retirement. A voluntary deduction does not reduce disposable earnings even though it reduces take-home pay — a 401(k), health premium, HSA or union dues do not shrink what can be garnished.
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