Delaware Wage Garnishment Calculator
Delaware exempts 85% of a resident’s wages, so at most 15% can be attached — and never more than the federal limit.
Eighty-five percent of a resident’s wages
Eighty-five percent of the amount of the wages for labor or service of any person residing within the State shall be exempt from mesne attachment process and execution attachment process under the laws of this State
Fifteen percent of a Wilmington paycheck
Delaware measures its limit on the whole paycheck. A Wilmington resident paid $2,100.00 twice a month can have at most $315.00 attached — 15% of the gross amount — while the federal rule applied to the $1,680.00 left after withholding would have permitted $420.00.
One attachment at a time
- Only one attachment may be made on wages due; the creditor who attaches first keeps priority until its judgment and costs are paid in full.§1
- "Wages" includes salaries, commissions and every other form of pay for labor or services, so the 15% is figured on the full paycheck before deductions. We apply it to gross pay and then the federal cap.§1
- The 85% limit does not apply to process for fines, costs or taxes owed to the State.§1
- The exemption is written for people residing in Delaware; a non-resident working in Delaware is protected at least by the federal limit.§1