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

How a creditor collects after a judgment, what the law protects, and how to claim it in time.

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 account (non-earnings garnishment): fill out the Debtor's Answer Non-Earnings Garnishment Small Claims (SC-303) if your money is fully or partly exempt, and file it by the date and time on the garnishment summons or bring it to the hearing listed there.

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

How to claim an exemption in Wisconsin

Bank account (non-earnings garnishment): fill out the Debtor's Answer Non-Earnings Garnishment Small Claims (SC-303) if your money is fully or partly exempt, and file it by the date and time on the garnishment summons or bring it to the hearing listed there. Send copies to the creditor (or its lawyer) and the bank. If the creditor objects, go to the hearing; the court decides. Wages: you must be served the Earnings Garnishment - Exemption Notice (CV-423), a blank Debtor's Answer (CV-424), the Garnishment Exemption Worksheet (CV-426) and the poverty guidelines (CV-427). If you qualify for a full or partial exemption, give or mail a copy of the completed Debtor's Answer to your employer. If your situation changes while the garnishment is in effect, you may file a new answer at any time. If the creditor objects, the court decides.

Law: Wis. Stat. §§ 812.34, 812.37, 812.44(4) (as cited on CV-423); court guide SC-6071V

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

Wage garnishment in Wisconsin

At least 80% of your disposable earnings are protected; the most that can be taken is 20%, or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage, whichever is less. Your earnings are fully protected if your household income is below the federal poverty level, or if you get (or in the last 6 months got, or are eligible for) certain public benefits. A garnishment lasts 13 weeks unless you agree in writing to extend it.

Law: Wis. Stat. § 812.34, forms CV-423 and CV-426

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

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)

When a creditor freezes your account in Wisconsin

A creditor can use a non-earnings garnishment to reach money a bank holds for you. The creditor must have a sheriff or private process server serve you with the garnishment papers. After a small claims judgment, the court orders you to complete a Financial Disclosure Statement (SC-506B) and send it to the creditor within 15 days unless you have paid.

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 Wisconsin

Interest after the judgment

1% plus the prime rate in effect on January 1 (for judgments entered January-June) or July 1 (for judgments entered July-December), fixed for the life of the judgment. For 2026 the rate is 7.75%.

How long it lasts

A docketed judgment is a lien on your real estate in that county for 10 years.

Law: Wis. Stat. § 815.05(8) (2011 Act 69); court guides SC-6060V, SC-6090V

Judgment interest and how long a judgment lasts, by state

Steps to protect your money in Wisconsin

  1. Watch for notices

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

  2. Find where your money comes from

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

  3. Claim your exemptions

    In Wisconsin: Bank account (non-earnings garnishment): fill out the Debtor's Answer Non-Earnings Garnishment Small Claims (SC-303) if your money is fully or partly exempt, and file it by the date and time on the garnishment summons or bring it to the hearing listed there.

  4. Show up at the hearing

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

Free help in Wisconsin

Questions about collection after a judgment in Wisconsin

Does a judgment grow with interest in Wisconsin?

1% plus the prime rate in effect on January 1 (for judgments entered January-June) or July 1 (for judgments entered July-December), fixed for the life of the judgment. For 2026 the rate is 7.75%.

Can a judgment be renewed in Wisconsin?

A docketed judgment is a lien on your real estate in that county for 10 years.

How much of my pay can be taken in Wisconsin?

At least 80% of your disposable earnings are protected; the most that can be taken is 20%, or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage, whichever is less. Your earnings are fully protected if your household income is below the federal poverty level, or if you get (or in the last 6 months got, or are eligible for) certain public benefits. A garnishment lasts 13 weeks unless you agree in writing to extend it.

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

A creditor can use a non-earnings garnishment to reach money a bank holds for you. The creditor must have a sheriff or private process server serve you with the garnishment papers. After a small claims judgment, the court orders you to complete a Financial Disclosure Statement (SC-506B) and send it to the creditor within 15 days unless you have paid.

What is the deadline to claim an exemption in Wisconsin?

Bank account (non-earnings garnishment): fill out the Debtor's Answer Non-Earnings Garnishment Small Claims (SC-303) if your money is fully or partly exempt, and file it by the date and time on the garnishment summons or bring it to the hearing listed there. Send copies to the creditor (or its lawyer) and the bank. If the creditor objects, go to the hearing; the court decides. Wages: you must be served the Earnings Garnishment - Exemption Notice (CV-423), a blank Debtor's Answer (CV-424), the Garnishment Exemption Worksheet (CV-426) and the poverty guidelines (CV-427). If you qualify for a full or partial exemption, give or mail a copy of the completed Debtor's Answer to your employer. If your situation changes while the garnishment is in effect, you may file a new answer at any time. If the creditor objects, the court decides.

Keep reading about Wisconsin

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources