Wage garnishment and exemptions in Arizona

In Arizona, a creditor can take no more than 10% of your pay. Below: bank accounts, the property Arizona lets you keep, and the steps to claim it.

Short answer

Arizona sets a lower limit than federal law: no more than 10% of your pay. Stricter than federal: no more than 10% of your disposable earnings, or the amount above 60 times the highest applicable (federal, state or local) minimum hourly wage per week, whichever is less. Support orders and tax debts are different. In a bank account: $5,000 in one account at one financial institution, adjusted each January 1 for inflation since 2024.

Wage limit
Up to 10%
Federal benefits in a bank account
Up to 2 months protected
Law
A.R.S. § 33-1131(B); § 33-1126(A)(9)

Your paycheck and garnishment in Arizona

Wage limit
Stricter than federal: no more than 10% of your disposable earnings, or the amount above 60 times the highest applicable (federal, state or local) minimum hourly wage per week, whichever is less. Support orders and tax debts are different.
Law
A.R.S. § 33-1131(B); § 33-1126(A)(9)

Arizona is one of 9 of our 48 state guides with a cap of 10% or less, under the federal 25% (15 U.S.C. 1673(a)).

In nearby states

More Arizona rules

  • Arizona caps wage garnishment for ordinary debts at 10% of disposable earnings, well below the federal 25% (A.R.S. § 33-1131(B)).
  • Since January 1, 2024, the homestead, vehicle and bank-account exemptions set by Proposition 209 (2022) are adjusted for inflation every year (A.R.S. §§ 33-1101(D), 33-1125(8), 33-1126(A)(9)).

Property you can keep in Arizona

  • Your home equity is protected up to $400,000, and equity in one vehicle up to $15,000 ($25,000 if you or a dependent has a physical disability).
  • Both amounts, and the bank-account amount, rise with inflation each January 1 since 2024 (A.R.S. §§ 33-1101, 33-1125(8), 33-1126(A)(9)).

Money in your bank account in Arizona

$5,000 in one account at one financial institution, adjusted each January 1 for inflation since 2024.

Directly deposited Social Security, SSI, VA and certain other federal benefits are protected up to two months' worth, without filing anything (31 CFR 212.5, 212.6). How garnishment follows a lawsuit.

No garnishment without a judgment in Arizona

If you do not file a written answer in time, the collector can ask the court for a default judgment. That judgment can then be used to garnish your wages or bank account.

If you are sued, answer on time. In Arizona: 20 days after you are served (30 days if you were served outside Arizona), in justice court and superior court (Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure, per Pima County Justice Courts).

What to do if you are sued in Arizona

Protecting your pay and property in Arizona

  1. Keep every paper

    Look for the date to claim exemptions on every court, employer or bank notice.

  2. Work out what Arizona protects

    Arizona's wage rule: Stricter than federal: no more than 10% of your disposable earnings, or the amount above 60 times the highest applicable (federal, state or local) minimum hourly wage per week, whichever is less.

  3. Look at your bank account

    Arizona also protects money in an account: $5,000 in one account at one financial institution, adjusted each January 1 for inflation since 2024. Two months of direct-deposited federal benefits must be left alone (31 CFR 212.6).

  4. Claim your exemptions in court

    Ask the court clerk for the exemption claim form and file it by the deadline. Start with Arizona court self-help (official).

Questions about garnishment in Arizona

What is the wage garnishment limit in Arizona?

Stricter than federal: no more than 10% of your disposable earnings, or the amount above 60 times the highest applicable (federal, state or local) minimum hourly wage per week, whichever is less. Support orders and tax debts are different.

Is money in my bank account protected in Arizona?

$5,000 in one account at one financial institution, adjusted each January 1 for inflation since 2024.

Can a creditor take my home or car in Arizona?

Your home equity is protected up to $400,000, and equity in one vehicle up to $15,000 ($25,000 if you or a dependent has a physical disability). Both amounts, and the bank-account amount, rise with inflation each January 1 since 2024 (A.R.S. §§ 33-1101, 33-1125(8), 33-1126(A)(9)).

Are my Social Security and VA benefits safe in a Arizona bank account?

Directly deposited Social Security, SSI, VA and certain other federal benefits are protected up to two months' worth, without filing anything (31 CFR 212.5, 212.6). $5,000 in one account at one financial institution, adjusted each January 1 for inflation since 2024.

Related Arizona pages

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources