After a debt judgment in Nebraska: 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). Garnishment: fill out the Request for Hearing form and file it with the court within 3 business days after you receive the notice; the court must hold a hearing within 10 days.

How long it lasts
5 years
Interest after the judgment
See the rule

Protecting exempt money in Nebraska

Garnishment: fill out the Request for Hearing form and file it with the court within 3 business days after you receive the notice; the court must hold a hearing within 10 days. Execution (property seizure): check the box on the notice of exemptions and return it to the clerk within 20 days after you receive it; a hearing is held within 10 days.

Law: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-1011, 25-1056, 25-1516

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 Nebraska

The creditor files an affidavit and the clerk issues a garnishment summons to your bank, which must answer within 10 days. Within 7 business days after the garnishment issues, the creditor must send you by certified mail a copy, a notice to judgment debtor and a request-for-hearing form. Nebraska does not set a separate dollar amount automatically protected in a bank account; exempt funds such as certain government benefits 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

How long a judgment lasts in Nebraska

Interest after the judgment

2 percentage points above the bond investment yield of the first 26-week U.S. Treasury bill auction of each quarter, in effect on the date the judgment is entered. A different rate agreed in the contract applies instead.

How long it lasts

A judgment becomes dormant if no execution is issued within 5 years of entry (or within 5 years of the last execution). A dormant judgment can be revived only by an action started within 10 years after it became dormant.

Law: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 45-103, 45-103.01; §§ 25-1515, 25-1420

Judgment interest and how long a judgment lasts, by state

Your paycheck after a judgment in Nebraska

If you are head of a family (you support one or more relatives or dependents), no more than 15% of your disposable earnings a week. Others: the federal limit (25%, or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is less). Not for support, Chapter 13 or tax orders.

Law: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-1558

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

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 Nebraska

  1. Watch for notices

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

  2. Collect your records

    Benefit letters and bank statements show which money is exempt.

  3. Claim your exemptions

    How it works in Nebraska: Garnishment: fill out the Request for Hearing form and file it with the court within 3 business days after you receive the notice; the court must hold a hearing within 10 days.

  4. Go to the hearing

    Bring your proof to the hearing if the creditor objects.

  5. Ask for free help

    Ask for free help: Legal Aid of Nebraska.

Free legal help in Nebraska

Questions about collection after a judgment in Nebraska

What is the judgment interest rate in Nebraska?

2 percentage points above the bond investment yield of the first 26-week U.S. Treasury bill auction of each quarter, in effect on the date the judgment is entered. A different rate agreed in the contract applies instead.

How long does a judgment last in Nebraska?

A judgment becomes dormant if no execution is issued within 5 years of entry (or within 5 years of the last execution). A dormant judgment can be revived only by an action started within 10 years after it became dormant.

Can my wages be garnished in Nebraska?

If you are head of a family (you support one or more relatives or dependents), no more than 15% of your disposable earnings a week. Others: the federal limit (25%, or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is less). Not for support, Chapter 13 or tax orders.

What is a bank levy in Nebraska?

The creditor files an affidavit and the clerk issues a garnishment summons to your bank, which must answer within 10 days. Within 7 business days after the garnishment issues, the creditor must send you by certified mail a copy, a notice to judgment debtor and a request-for-hearing form. Nebraska does not set a separate dollar amount automatically protected in a bank account; exempt funds such as certain government benefits are protected.

What is the deadline to claim an exemption in Nebraska?

Garnishment: fill out the Request for Hearing form and file it with the court within 3 business days after you receive the notice; the court must hold a hearing within 10 days. Execution (property seizure): check the box on the notice of exemptions and return it to the clerk within 20 days after you receive it; a hearing is held within 10 days.

More for Nebraska

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources