Wage garnishment and exemptions in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, a creditor can take no more than 15% of your pay. Plus what a creditor can't touch in your bank account and what property you keep.
Short answer
Massachusetts sets a lower limit than federal law: no more than 15% of your pay. Stricter than federal: you keep the greater of 85% of your gross wages or 50 times the higher of the federal or Massachusetts hourly minimum wage, for each week. Does not apply to support orders. In a bank account: $2,500 in cash, savings or other bank deposits (M.G.L. c. 235, § 34, clause Fifteenth).
- Wage limit
- Up to 15%
- Federal benefits in a bank account
- Up to 2 months protected
- Law
- M.G.L. c. 246, § 28; c. 235, § 34
Massachusetts's limit on wage garnishment
- Wage limit
- Stricter than federal: you keep the greater of 85% of your gross wages or 50 times the higher of the federal or Massachusetts hourly minimum wage, for each week. Does not apply to support orders.
- Law
- M.G.L. c. 246, § 28; c. 235, § 34
In our 48 state guides, 13 states, Massachusetts among them, cap garnishment at 15% or less, below the federal 25% (15 U.S.C. 1673(a)).
In nearby states
- Rhode Island: 25% (federal limit)
- Connecticut: Up to 25%
- New York: Up to 10%
- Vermont: Up to 15%
Property you can keep in Massachusetts
- Homestead: $125,000 automatic, or up to $1,000,000 if you record a declaration of homestead (M.G.L. c.
- 188, § 1).
- A car needed for transportation or work up to $7,500 ($15,000 if you are 60+ or disabled) (M.G.L. c.
- 235, § 34, clause Sixteenth).
Money in your bank account in Massachusetts
$2,500 in cash, savings or other bank deposits (M.G.L. c. 235, § 34, clause Fifteenth).
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). More in our guide to debt lawsuits.
The lawsuit comes first in Massachusetts
If you don't answer or appear, the plaintiff can ask for a default judgment. For credit card debts, special default rules apply (Mass. R. Civ. P. 55, 55.1).
Answer the lawsuit by the deadline. In Massachusetts: District or Superior Court: serve your answer within 20 days after you are served (Mass. R. Civ. P. 12(a)).
How to claim an exemption in Massachusetts
Read every notice
Look for the date to claim exemptions on every court, employer or bank notice.
Work out what Massachusetts protects
Massachusetts's wage rule: Stricter than federal: you keep the greater of 85% of your gross wages or 50 times the higher of the federal or Massachusetts hourly minimum wage, for each week.
Protect your bank money
Massachusetts also protects money in an account: $2,500 in cash, savings or other bank deposits (M.G.L. c. 235, § 34, clause Fifteenth). Check that the bank protected your direct-deposited benefits (31 CFR 212.6).
Ask the court to protect your money
File the court's exemption claim form before the deadline; the clerk has it. Start with Massachusetts court self-help (official).
Get free help
Free help in Massachusetts: Massachusetts AG – consumer complaint / hotline and Massachusetts Division of Banks – debt collection information and complaints.
Questions about garnishment in Massachusetts
How much of my paycheck can be garnished in Massachusetts?
Stricter than federal: you keep the greater of 85% of your gross wages or 50 times the higher of the federal or Massachusetts hourly minimum wage, for each week. Does not apply to support orders.
Can a creditor empty my bank account in Massachusetts?
$2,500 in cash, savings or other bank deposits (M.G.L. c. 235, § 34, clause Fifteenth).
Can a creditor take my home or car in Massachusetts?
Homestead: $125,000 automatic, or up to $1,000,000 if you record a declaration of homestead (M.G.L. c. 188, § 1). A car needed for transportation or work up to $7,500 ($15,000 if you are 60+ or disabled) (M.G.L. c. 235, § 34, clause Sixteenth).
Can a creditor garnish federal benefits in my bank account in Massachusetts?
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). $2,500 in cash, savings or other bank deposits (M.G.L. c. 235, § 34, clause Fifteenth).
Related Massachusetts pages
- Massachusetts: every collection right on one page
- Statute of limitations in Massachusetts: 6 years
- Sued by a debt collector in Massachusetts: 20 days
- Debt collector laws in Massachusetts: license required
- “Is my debt too old?” checker for Massachusetts
- Dispute a debt and ask for proof (validation letter)
- Tell a collector to stop or limit contact
- Wage garnishment limits by state
- Guide: sued by a debt collector
- M.G.L. c. 93, § 49
- M.G.L. c. 93, § 24A
- M.G.L. c. 93A, § 9
- M.G.L. c. 260, § 2
- M.G.L. c. 260, § 13
- M.G.L. c. 246, § 28
- M.G.L. c. 235, § 34
- M.G.L. c. 188, § 1
- 940 CMR 7.00 (AG debt collection regulations)
- 209 CMR 18.00 (Division of Banks)
- Mass. R. Civ. P. 8.1
- Mass. R. Civ. P. 12
- Massachusetts law about debt collection (Trial Court Law Libraries)
- Governor Healey press release, June 30, 2026
- 940 CMR 7.00 (full text, PDF)
- Division of Banks – Debt collection information for consumers
- Division of Banks – Download a list of approved licensees
- DPH – Medical debt reporting requirements (proposed 105 CMR 95.00)
- Bill S.2559 (194th General Court) – fairness in debt collection
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.