South Carolina Wage Garnishment — Max Percentage, Exemptions & Bans
Your South Carolina wage garnishment snapshot: caps, exemptions, and bans.
South Carolina Wage Garnishment at a Glance
| Max garnishment (consumer debt) | Banned for consumer debt |
|---|---|
| Federal protection floor | $217.50 / week (30 × $7.25 federal minimum wage) |
| Head-of-household exemption | Standard federal rule |
| Exceptions that can still be taken | Child support, unpaid taxes, federal student loans, and court-ordered spousal support can still be garnished. |
| Key source | S.C. Code Ann. § 37-5-104 |
What This Means in South Carolina
South Carolina limits wage garnishment for consumer debt to support, taxes, and a few other exceptions (S.C. Code Ann. § 37-5-104).
Estimate Your Own Limit
Want a number for your paycheck? Open the South Carolina wage garnishment calculator and enter your weekly disposable income.
This page is a general reference for South Carolina. Garnishment rules differ by debt type and can change with legislation. Confirm current requirements with the South Carolina court or a local attorney before relying on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can be garnished from wages in South Carolina?
For most consumer debt, the federal cap is the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above $217.50/week. South Carolina goes further and generally bans wage garnishment for consumer debt entirely. Child support, taxes, and federal student loans follow separate rules.
Is there a head-of-household protection in South Carolina?
There is no special head-of-household wage exemption written into South Carolina law beyond the federal $217.50/week floor, though some debt types are handled differently. Verify with the court.