How to Garnish Wages in Washington State After a Judgment

Wage garnishment is often the most effective way to collect a judgment in Washington — as long as the debtor is employed. A continuing lien on earnings captures non-exempt wages every pay period for 60 days, so you don't need to file a new writ each paycheck.

But the process has specific forms, deadlines, and exemption calculations that trip up many judgment creditors. Here's how it works from start to finish.

Prerequisites

Upon entry, your small claims judgment is certified as a District Court civil judgment under RCW 12.40.105. A garnishment writ may issue if the judgment remains unpaid 30 days after entry. You also need to know the debtor's employer — if you don't, start with supplemental proceedings to discover employment information under oath.

Step 1: File the Application

Submit WPF GARN 01.0100 (Application for Writ of Garnishment) to the District Court Civil Clerk. The writ-issuance fee is $12 under RCW 3.62.060(1)(b). Specify that you're requesting a continuing lien on earnings, not a one-time bank garnishment — these are different writs.

Step 2: Serve the Writ on the Employer

The clerk issues WPF GARN 01.0250 (Writ of Garnishment for Continuing Lien on Earnings). Have a process server or sheriff serve it on the debtor's employer. The employer is now legally required to withhold non-exempt wages from each paycheck.

The continuing lien lasts 60 days from the date of service under RCW 6.27.330. A second writ may be served during an active lien, but its effective date is when the earlier writ ends under RCW 6.27.350.

Step 3: Notify the Debtor

On or before the date you serve the employer, mail the debtor by certified mail a packet with the writ, your application affidavit, and (if the debtor is an individual) the notice and claim form. Alternatively, you may personally serve the packet by that date or within two days after (RCW 6.27.130). The packet includes:

• A copy of the Writ of Garnishment
• WPF GARN 01.0450 (Notice of Garnishment and of Your Rights)
• WPF GARN 01.0520 (Exemption Claim (Writ directed to employer to garnish earnings))

Without proof of the required mailing or service on file, no disbursement order or judgment against the garnishee may be entered. A court may set aside a garnishment on the debtor's motion if the failure caused substantial injury (RCW 6.27.130(2)).

Step 4: Wait for the Employer's Answer

The writ directs the employer to file WPF GARN 01.0750 (First Answer to Writ of Garnishment for Continuing Lien on Earnings) within 20 days of service under RCW 6.27.070. The accompanying notice states that federal law allows employers 30 days to respond. The answer details the debtor's pay schedule, disposable earnings per period, and the calculated garnishment amount.

How Much Can Be Garnished

Washington's exemption formulas under RCW 6.27.150 depend on the judgment type: consumer debt, non-consumer debt, or private student-loan debt.

Consumer debt (debts for personal, family, or household purposes, excluding private student-loan debt): The debtor keeps the greater of 80% of disposable earnings OR 35 times Washington's minimum wage per week. With the 2026 state minimum wage at $17.13/hour, the weekly protection floor is $599.55.

Example: A debtor earning $1,000/week in disposable income keeps $800 (80% of disposable earnings, which exceeds the $599.55 minimum-wage floor). You receive $200 per week.

Non-consumer debt: The debtor keeps the greater of 75% of disposable earnings OR 35 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour = $253.75/week). This formula protects a lower amount than the consumer-debt formula above.

Private student-loan debt: The debtor keeps the greater of 85% of disposable earnings OR 50 times the highest minimum wage in the state per week (RCW 6.27.150(3)).

Step 5: Get the Order to Pay

If the debtor doesn't file an exemption claim within 28 days after the date on the writ, submit WPF GARN 01.0800 (Application for Judgment on Answer and Order to Pay). If service on the employer was delayed more than seven days after the date on the writ, the claim period extends to 21 days after service. Once the judge signs the order, serve WPF GARN 01.0850 on the employer, who then remits the withheld funds.

If the Debtor Claims an Exemption

The debtor has 28 days after the date on the writ to file an exemption claim (extended to 21 days after service if service was delayed more than seven days). If you object, you must send the debtor your objection and hearing notice within seven days after receiving the claim, with the hearing set within 14 days. If you do not object, obtain and deliver an order releasing the claimed exempt portion within 10 days; the statute does not automatically release all held funds (RCW 6.27.160).

Costs You Can Recover

Enforcement costs incurred are added to the judgment balance under RCW 12.40.105. Post-judgment interest accrues at the rate applicable under RCW 4.56.110.

The Washington judgment collection guide includes the complete WPF GARN form sequence, exemption calculation worksheets, and timeline tracking tools for each enforcement step.

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