After a debt judgment in Rhode Island: garnishment, bank levy, exemptions

What can be taken from your pay and bank account, and how to claim exempt money.

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). Serve and file a written objection (for wages, the Defendant/Debtor's Objection to Wage Attachment form) at least 2 days before the hearing date in the notice, and go to the hearing.

How long it lasts
20 years
Interest after the judgment
12%

Claiming what the law protects in Rhode Island

Serve and file a written objection (for wages, the Defendant/Debtor's Objection to Wage Attachment form) at least 2 days before the hearing date in the notice, and go to the hearing. If you do not object, you still keep your statutory exemptions and can later ask the court to amend or vacate the attachment.

Law: R.I. Dist. Ct. Civ. R. 69(e)-(g); R.I. Dist. Ct. Small Claims R. 6.02

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

Wage garnishment in Rhode Island

The federal limit applies – up to 25% of disposable earnings, or the amount above $217.50 a week (30 times the federal minimum wage), whichever is less. Rhode Island fully protects wages of someone who received public relief, for one year after the relief ends. Wages can be attached only after a motion, notice to you and a hearing set 10 to 25 days after the notice is mailed; no wage attachment can be served on your employer before that hearing.

Law: 15 U.S.C. § 1673; R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-4(8)

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

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)

Bank levies in Rhode Island

On the day a post-judgment trustee writ is served on your bank, the creditor must send you a copy and a notice with a hearing date 5 to 9 days later where you can claim exemptions. $500 in savings or other deposits is exempt.

Law: R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-4(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

Interest and how long the judgment lasts in Rhode Island

Interest after the judgment

12% a year, on both the principal and the prejudgment interest in the judgment. This does not apply where a contract already sets the interest.

How long it lasts

A creditor can sue on a judgment for 20 years.

Law: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 9-21-8, 9-21-10(a); § 9-1-17

Judgment interest and how long a judgment lasts, by state

Protecting your pay and bank in Rhode Island

  1. Watch for notices

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

  2. Collect your records

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

  3. File the claim on time

    How it works in Rhode Island: Serve and file a written objection (for wages, the Defendant/Debtor's Objection to Wage Attachment form) at least 2 days before the hearing date in the notice, and go to the hearing.

  4. Show up at the hearing

    A judge decides disputed claims; bring every paper.

  5. Talk to legal aid

    Free help: Rhode Island Legal Services.

Where to get free help in Rhode Island

Questions about collection after a judgment in Rhode Island

How much interest does a judgment add in Rhode Island?

12% a year, on both the principal and the prejudgment interest in the judgment. This does not apply where a contract already sets the interest.

Can a judgment be renewed in Rhode Island?

A creditor can sue on a judgment for 20 years.

How much of my pay can be taken in Rhode Island?

The federal limit applies – up to 25% of disposable earnings, or the amount above $217.50 a week (30 times the federal minimum wage), whichever is less. Rhode Island fully protects wages of someone who received public relief, for one year after the relief ends. Wages can be attached only after a motion, notice to you and a hearing set 10 to 25 days after the notice is mailed; no wage attachment can be served on your employer before that hearing.

What is a bank levy in Rhode Island?

On the day a post-judgment trustee writ is served on your bank, the creditor must send you a copy and a notice with a hearing date 5 to 9 days later where you can claim exemptions. $500 in savings or other deposits is exempt.

How do I protect exempt money in Rhode Island?

Serve and file a written objection (for wages, the Defendant/Debtor's Objection to Wage Attachment form) at least 2 days before the hearing date in the notice, and go to the hearing. If you do not object, you still keep your statutory exemptions and can later ask the court to amend or vacate the attachment.

More for Rhode Island

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources