Garnishment Gurus

02/27/2026

We see a lot of judgments. Every once in a while, we like to take the time to give a snapshot of one of those judgments and offer some critiques and explanations for those critiques. Our most recent babbling on this is now a blog post:

Another installment of lessons from the deeply exciting and engaging field of judgment enforcement. A new client brought us a judgment that needs to be collected on. As always, "Kudos!" to the unnamed attorney that secured the judgment. We can always improve (for instance I don't know if Kudos shoul...

01/05/2026

The 2026 Guide for Washington State Garnishment Exemptions is now live!

Stay tuned for the exciting next chapter in garnishment exemptions. Every year we post a guide for the amount of wages that are protected (exempt) from garnishment. This amount changes based on changes in the State minimum wage, which controls consumer debts such as credit card debt or eviction judgments. It also changes for private student loan debt based on the highest minimum wage in the State, which alternates across a few key cities.

If you do any form of wage garnishment in the state, then be sure to update your forms to account for the new changes.

See the guide here:

Our annual update for Washington State's new exemption amounts. New minimum wage laws mean new amounts of protected funds in garnishment proceedings.

12/19/2025

It felt like the right time of the year to tell a story. Not a story with mystery and intrigue, but at least a real story about a landlord with an eviction judgment that needed to be enforced.

Check out our case study:

This landlord has one eviction judgment that we enforced for 3 years.

10/22/2025

We finally updated our website into a dedicated collections based "destination." Check it out: www.garnishmentgurus.com

We are still in the process of moving our news and older posts over for additional substance. The goal is to provide as much meaningful information about debt collection in Washington State. A secondary goal is to have as few images of hands, scales, people in business suits patting each other on the back, and gavels. It is important to have goals...

We've always maintained a list of current exemptions in Washington State and articles on any changes to the legal landscape when legislatures decide to implement new protections preventing accounts from being paid. We'll continue to do so. Any article requests are always welcome!

Garnishment Gurus Law Firm is your first and lost stop for all your writs of garnishment needs. If you are owed money, contact us today.

01/31/2025

Recovering what our clients are owed is sometimes a long process. Each year we renew judgments for various clients because even 10 years after the Court said that they were owed money, the judgment still has not been fully paid. Even 10 years of minor payments might not be enough -- especially when people refuse to accept the verdict.

In these long processes we fill out many documents. Complaints, summary judgments, writs of garnishment, writs of ex*****on, objections to exemptions, judgment renewals, etc. etc. etc. The best thing though is the satisfaction of judgment. The document that announces to the world that the debt was fully paid.

GG. (if you know, you know).

01/03/2025

Ever wonder how much money garnishments recover? The new year brought new changes to that question. Check out our annual update!

New minimum wage laws mean new amounts of protected funds in garnishment proceedings.

02/15/2024

🌹 Happy Valentine’s Day! 🌹

Today, amidst the celebration of love, Garnishment Gurus wants to share a reminder about an important but often overlooked aspect of past relationships: family law judgments. Our experience has shown us the importance of addressing financial obligations from past relationships, including judgments for unpaid spousal support, property equalization payments, or attorney fees.

It’s worth noting that these judgments, while they may start small, can grow over time with accrued interest, potentially becoming a significant financial matter. Our aim is to assist individuals in navigating the process of collecting what is owed to them, while ensuring that all actions are conducted fairly and within the bounds of the law.

It's crucial to approach garnishment with a balanced perspective, especially considering the legal protections in place to prevent undue hardship. This includes prioritizing child support payments, which are paramount. However, this doesn’t mean other judgments should be neglected. It’s about finding the right timing and method to pursue what you’re owed, keeping in mind the broader financial picture.

As we reflect on the connections that have shaped our lives, let’s also remember the importance of addressing financial ties with clarity and action. Whether it’s a judgment that needs attention or a financial matter awaiting resolution, today serves as a reminder to address these issues with care and diligence.

Should you find yourself needing guidance on how to proceed with a judgment from a past relationship, we’re here to provide support and share our experiences. Remember, addressing these matters sooner rather than later can make a significant difference in the long run.

Wishing everyone a day filled with love and a future of clear, resolved financial paths. 💖

02/12/2024

Another unfortunately written "judgment." In this particular case the creditor obtained a judgment because the debtor improperly obtained many payments from the creditor. How much? WHO KNOWS?! Well, actually it is a mathematical certainty subject to calculation.

This is a meaningless judgment. It accomplishes nothing that a judgment should accomplish. As an order (not shown) it is "fine." It cannot be a basis for enforcement.

Also, to all practitioners: quit having interest commence at any time other than immediately. There is no coherent basis for offering a judgment debtor free money in the judgment. It only harms the creditor who can offer that free money later in exchange for payment.

02/08/2024

Why Garnishment?

In debt collection and judgment enforcement, securing a client's funds is the main point. It isn't academic or "for the principle."

Our focus in garnishments isn’t purely preference—it’s a strategic decision aimed at maximizing results for our clients with minimal risk.

Reduced Risk, Accelerated Insight
Writs of garnishment stand out as a preferred mechanism for several compelling reasons. Foremost among these is the minimized risk to our clients. In instances where a debtor might be unemployed or their bank accounts yield little to no funds, the financial commitment from our clients remains minimal, typically under $50. Yet, the intelligence gathered through this process is invaluable, often within just a few weeks.

Strategic Advantage in Negotiations
A hidden power of garnishment lies in its ability to unveil the truth about a debtor’s financial situation. Frequently (far too frequently - debtor counsel: please stop doing this), a debtor claims an inability to pay, yet possesses a well-paying job or substantial bank assets.

Every year we see countless debtors have a judgment against them that they refuse to pay. Yet, it turns out that they simply want to finance their fun lifestyle on others. For those that are truly unable to pay no amount of garnishment will change that. For the others, it can be a burned bridge.

Why "Garnishment Gurus" and Not "Ex*****on Experts"?
While writs of ex*****on are another path to judgment enforcement, they are far less common and often misunderstood. Unlike writs of garnishment, a writ of ex*****on almost always has a long wait time and high costs.

02/07/2024

We'll continue to beat this drum / dead horse: spell out what your judgment is for. No matter how obvious your judgment seems to be, in 8 years it will not be as obvious to the law firm that is finally able to collect on it.

Today we came across the standard form from Snohomish *Small Claims*. Though not perfect in all contexts, it will cover the bulk of cases. It won't cover personal injury matters with a more unique interest rate calculation being required. 3 cheers for Snohomish!

01/01/2024

Every year there are updates to wages which create differences in how garnishments are calculated. Check out our latest blog post on these changes.

Happy 2024 everyone! With the new year comes new minimum wage requirements across Washington State. These new requirements create new exemption amounts for garnishments. The exemption amount varies based on the type of debt being garnished. These amounts only apply to wage garnishments and are irrel...