After a debt judgment in Idaho: 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). Fill out the claim of exemption form the sheriff sends you and deliver or mail it to the sheriff within 14 days after the sheriff delivered or mailed the papers (it must arrive in time).

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

Claiming what the law protects in Idaho

Fill out the claim of exemption form the sheriff sends you and deliver or mail it to the sheriff within 14 days after the sheriff delivered or mailed the papers (it must arrive in time). The creditor then has 5 business days to file a motion contesting it; the hearing is set 5 to 12 days later. The sheriff will not accept a late claim.

Law: Idaho Code §§ 11-203, 11-707, 11-709

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

Interest and how long the judgment lasts in Idaho

Interest after the judgment

5% plus a base rate (the 1-year U.S. Treasury yield) set by the Idaho State Treasurer each July 1. The rate in effect when the judgment is entered applies.

How long it lasts

The creditor can have a writ of execution issued for 10 years after the judgment is entered. A recorded judgment is also a lien on your real property for 10 years. Before that time runs out, the court can renew the judgment by motion for another 10 years, and it can be renewed again.

Law: Idaho Code §§ 28-22-104(2), 10-1110, 10-1111, 11-101

Judgment interest and how long a judgment lasts, by state

Bank levies in Idaho

The creditor gets a writ of execution or garnishment and the sheriff serves your bank. The sheriff then sends you the papers, including a claim of exemption form. Federal benefits such as Social Security are protected.

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

Your paycheck after a judgment in Idaho

The federal limit applies, up to 25% of your disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage ($217.50 a week), whichever is less.

Law: Idaho Code § 11-207

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

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)

Protecting your pay and bank in Idaho

  1. Read every notice

    Each notice may start a short deadline, so read it right away.

  2. Find where your money comes from

    Proof of where the money came from, like award letters, wins exemption claims.

  3. Ask the court to protect your money

    In Idaho: Fill out the claim of exemption form the sheriff sends you and deliver or mail it to the sheriff within 14 days after the sheriff delivered or mailed the papers (it must arrive in time).

  4. Go to the hearing

    If the creditor objects, the judge decides at a hearing. Bring your proof.

Free help in Idaho

Questions about collection after a judgment in Idaho

What is the judgment interest rate in Idaho?

5% plus a base rate (the 1-year U.S. Treasury yield) set by the Idaho State Treasurer each July 1. The rate in effect when the judgment is entered applies.

When does a judgment expire in Idaho?

The creditor can have a writ of execution issued for 10 years after the judgment is entered. A recorded judgment is also a lien on your real property for 10 years. Before that time runs out, the court can renew the judgment by motion for another 10 years, and it can be renewed again.

Can a creditor take my paycheck in Idaho?

The federal limit applies, up to 25% of your disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage ($217.50 a week), whichever is less.

What is a bank levy in Idaho?

The creditor gets a writ of execution or garnishment and the sheriff serves your bank. The sheriff then sends you the papers, including a claim of exemption form. Federal benefits such as Social Security are protected.

How do I claim an exemption in Idaho?

Fill out the claim of exemption form the sheriff sends you and deliver or mail it to the sheriff within 14 days after the sheriff delivered or mailed the papers (it must arrive in time). The creditor then has 5 business days to file a motion contesting it; the hearing is set 5 to 12 days later. The sheriff will not accept a late claim.

Keep reading about Idaho

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources