After a debt judgment in Connecticut: garnishment, bank levy, exemptions

Garnishment, bank levies and exemptions, with the deadline to claim them.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026.

Short answer

After a judgment, the creditor can ask the court to take part of your pay or freeze your bank account, but some money is exempt (protected by law). Bank: return the Exemption Claim Form (JD-CV-24A) to the bank no later than 15 days after it was mailed to you.

How long it lasts
10 years
Interest after the judgment
10%
Exemption form
Official exemption form

How to claim an exemption in Connecticut

Bank: return the Exemption Claim Form (JD-CV-24A) to the bank no later than 15 days after it was mailed to you. The bank holds the money and the clerk sets a hearing. Wages: file the Exemption and Modification Claim Form (JD-CV-3a) with the court; if it arrives within 20 days after the employer was served, nothing is withheld until the court decides. Personal property: return the claim (JD-CV-5b) within 20 days after the levy.

Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 52-361b(d), 52-367b; forms JD-CV-24A, JD-CV-3a

Official exemption form

Count your deadline to claim an exemption

The date is counted in your browser.

Read the notice you got from the court, your bank or your employer.

An estimate from our state data, not legal advice. Court holidays and local rules can change a deadline. File early, and ask the court clerk if you are not sure.

Exemption claim cover letter

When a creditor freezes your account in Connecticut

A marshal serves a financial institution execution on your bank. The bank freezes the money and mails you the execution and an exemption claim form, then holds the money for 15 days. Up to $1,000 is protected under the $1,000 any-property exemption, and direct deposits of Social Security, VA, unemployment and child support stay protected in full.

Law: §§ 52-367b, 52-352b(18)

Your bank must protect up to two months of Social Security, SSI, VA and some other federal benefits that were paid into your account by direct deposit. You don't have to ask.

Law: 31 CFR 212.5, 212.6

How long a judgment lasts in Connecticut

Interest after the judgment

The court may award interest of up to 10% a year. For debts from hospital services, the cap is 5% a year and interest is up to the court.

How long it lasts

Small claims judgment: can be enforced by execution for 10 years. Other civil judgments: 20 years. A motion to revive can be filed before the time runs out, but it cannot extend these limits.

Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 37-3a, 52-598

Judgment interest and how long a judgment lasts, by state

How much of your pay can be taken in Connecticut

No more than 25% of your disposable earnings, or the amount above 40 times the higher of the federal or Connecticut minimum wage per week, whichever is less.

Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-361a(f)

These garnishment limits are from our sister site, which checks them against official sources: Debt Collector Map: Connecticut

For an ordinary debt, a creditor can take at most 25% of your take-home pay, or the part above 30 times the federal minimum wage if that is less. Many states protect more.

Law: 15 U.S.C. 1673(a)

Steps to protect your money in Connecticut

  1. Open every letter

    Notices from the court, your bank or your employer can carry short deadlines.

  2. Gather proof

    Get bank statements and benefit award letters: they prove the source of the money.

  3. Ask the court to protect your money

    Connecticut's rule: Bank: return the Exemption Claim Form (JD-CV-24A) to the bank no later than 15 days after it was mailed to you.

  4. Attend the hearing

    A judge decides disputed claims; bring every paper.

Free legal help in Connecticut

Questions about collection after a judgment in Connecticut

What is the judgment interest rate in Connecticut?

The court may award interest of up to 10% a year. For debts from hospital services, the cap is 5% a year and interest is up to the court.

How long does a judgment last in Connecticut?

Small claims judgment: can be enforced by execution for 10 years. Other civil judgments: 20 years. A motion to revive can be filed before the time runs out, but it cannot extend these limits.

Can a creditor take my paycheck in Connecticut?

No more than 25% of your disposable earnings, or the amount above 40 times the higher of the federal or Connecticut minimum wage per week, whichever is less.

Can a creditor take money from my bank account in Connecticut?

A marshal serves a financial institution execution on your bank. The bank freezes the money and mails you the execution and an exemption claim form, then holds the money for 15 days. Up to $1,000 is protected under the $1,000 any-property exemption, and direct deposits of Social Security, VA, unemployment and child support stay protected in full.

What is the deadline to claim an exemption in Connecticut?

Bank: return the Exemption Claim Form (JD-CV-24A) to the bank no later than 15 days after it was mailed to you. The bank holds the money and the clerk sets a hearing. Wages: file the Exemption and Modification Claim Form (JD-CV-3a) with the court; if it arrives within 20 days after the employer was served, nothing is withheld until the court decides. Personal property: return the claim (JD-CV-5b) within 20 days after the levy.

Related Connecticut pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources