Wage garnishment and exemptions in Minnesota

In Minnesota, how much of your pay can be taken depends on your situation. Here is what is protected in your bank account, the property you can keep and how to claim an exemption.

Short answer

Minnesota's limit depends on your situation. Stricter than federal, depending on weekly income: 10% of disposable earnings if weekly income is over 40 and up to 60 times the minimum wage, 15% if over 60 and up to 80 times, and 25% if over 80 times; and never more than the amount by which disposable earnings exceed 40 times the higher of the federal or Minnesota minimum wage. If your weekly income is 40 times the minimum wage or less, nothing can be garnished. In a bank account: No set dollar amount is protected automatically. Money from protected sources, such as public benefits and wages deposited in the last 20 days (within limits), is exempt if you return the exemption form the bank sends you; the bank holds frozen money for 14 days.

Wage limit
10–25%
Federal benefits in a bank account
Up to 2 months protected
Law
Minn. Stat. §§ 571.922, 551.05, 550.37

How much of your pay can be garnished in Minnesota

Wage limit
Stricter than federal, depending on weekly income: 10% of disposable earnings if weekly income is over 40 and up to 60 times the minimum wage, 15% if over 60 and up to 80 times, and 25% if over 80 times; and never more than the amount by which disposable earnings exceed 40 times the higher of the federal or Minnesota minimum wage. If your weekly income is 40 times the minimum wage or less, nothing can be garnished. (Minn. Stat. § 571.922)
Law
Minn. Stat. §§ 571.922, 551.05, 550.37

Where Minnesota protects more than the federal 25% cap (15 U.S.C. 1673(a)), the state rule wins.

In nearby states

More Minnesota rules

  • 2024 Debt Fairness Act (Laws 2024, ch. 114, art. 3): new chapter 332C on medical debt (credit reporting ban, prohibited practices, lawyer fees for consumers who win medical debt suits, private lawsuits) and new rules for providers (§§ 62J.805-62J.808); spouses no longer liable for each other's debts, including medical bills (§ 519.05); new or higher property exemptions, including a vehicle exemption of $10,000 ($25,000 for a disability-used vehicle) and new exemptions for pets, musical instruments and household tools (§ 550.37); coerced-debt protections for abuse victims expanded (§§ 332.71-332.74); tiered wage garnishment limits (§ 571.922). § 571.922 was amended again in 2025 (1st Sp. 2025, ch. 4, art. 7, § 34) and § 551.05 bank-levy forms in 2025 (ch. 18).

What creditors can't take in Minnesota

  • Your homestead is protected up to $510,000 ($1,275,000 if mainly used for farming) (Minn. Stat. § 510.02).
  • One motor vehicle is protected up to $10,000 ($25,000 if used by or for a person with a disability) (Minn. Stat. § 550.37, subd. 12a).
  • Dollar amounts are adjusted for inflation every two years.

What Minnesota protects in a bank account

No set dollar amount is protected automatically. Money from protected sources, such as public benefits and wages deposited in the last 20 days (within limits), is exempt if you return the exemption form the bank sends you; the bank holds frozen money for 14 days. (Minn. Stat. § 551.05; § 550.37)

Your bank must automatically protect two months of directly deposited Social Security, SSI or VA benefits (31 CFR 212.5, 212.6). Read the debt lawsuit guide.

Before a garnishment: the court case in Minnesota

If you don't answer: In Minnesota a lawsuit starts when you are served, and the papers may not yet be filed with the court. You still must answer within 21 days, or the collector can ask for a default judgment. (Minn. R. Civ. P. 3.01, 12.01)

If you are sued, answer on time. In Minnesota: 21 days after you are served with the summons (district court)

What to do if you are sued in Minnesota

Protecting your pay and property in Minnesota

  1. Watch for deadlines

    Exemption deadlines on court, employer or bank papers can be short, so mark them at once.

  2. Work out what Minnesota protects

    Minnesota's wage rule: Stricter than federal, depending on weekly income: 10% of disposable earnings if weekly income is over 40 and up to 60 times the minimum wage, 15% if over 60 and up to 80 times, and 25% if over 80 times; and never more than the amount by which disposable earnings exceed 40 times the higher of the federal or Minnesota minimum wage.

  3. Look at your bank account

    Minnesota also protects money in an account: No set dollar amount is protected automatically. Money from protected sources, such as public benefits and wages deposited in the last 20 days (within limits), is exempt if you return the exemption form the bank sends you; the bank holds frozen money for 14 days. Federal benefits paid by direct deposit are protected too (31 CFR 212.6).

  4. File the exemption claim

    Ask the court clerk for the exemption claim form and file it by the deadline.

Questions about garnishment in Minnesota

What is the wage garnishment limit in Minnesota?

Stricter than federal, depending on weekly income: 10% of disposable earnings if weekly income is over 40 and up to 60 times the minimum wage, 15% if over 60 and up to 80 times, and 25% if over 80 times; and never more than the amount by which disposable earnings exceed 40 times the higher of the federal or Minnesota minimum wage. If your weekly income is 40 times the minimum wage or less, nothing can be garnished. (Minn. Stat. § 571.922)

Can a creditor empty my bank account in Minnesota?

No set dollar amount is protected automatically. Money from protected sources, such as public benefits and wages deposited in the last 20 days (within limits), is exempt if you return the exemption form the bank sends you; the bank holds frozen money for 14 days. (Minn. Stat. § 551.05; § 550.37)

What are Minnesota's property exemptions?

Your homestead is protected up to $510,000 ($1,275,000 if mainly used for farming) (Minn. Stat. § 510.02). One motor vehicle is protected up to $10,000 ($25,000 if used by or for a person with a disability) (Minn. Stat. § 550.37, subd. 12a). Dollar amounts are adjusted for inflation every two years.

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

Your bank must automatically protect two months of directly deposited Social Security, SSI or VA benefits (31 CFR 212.5, 212.6). No set dollar amount is protected automatically. Money from protected sources, such as public benefits and wages deposited in the last 20 days (within limits), is exempt if you return the exemption form the bank sends you; the bank holds frozen money for 14 days.

Related Minnesota pages

Wage garnishment in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources