If you've been served an administrative wage garnishment notice, you need to know how to defend yourself. Read on to learn the best defenses.
Book a Consultation CallBeing in debt is never a fun experience, but it is one that most Americans are familiar with. Almost all adult Americans have some form of debt. Moreover, the type and severity of this debt vary from person to person, but it is a situation that bonds us whether we like it or not.
Administrative Wage Garnishment Notice
If you owe a debt to a government agency, such as the Small Business Administration, you might have an administrative wage garnishment notice sent to you. Garnishment is a legal remedy pursued by the government. If successful, they will be able to take a percentage of your paycheck each week before it gets to you.
How do you defend yourself against this type of scenario? Read on and we'll walk you through what you need to know about administrative wage garnishment cases.
You might owe money to a government agency for a number of reasons. For instance, you might've taken a government backed loan out, obtained federal aid, or used government backed school loans. However, the good news is that the government cannot garnish your wages without providing you with a hearing.
In the most basic terms, garnishment is the legal process in which the government requires a third party to turn over money or property that would otherwise be owed to a debtor. In this case, the government has a portion of your wages turned over to them instead of you.
Some people believe the only way to fight wage garnishment is to declare bankruptcy but this isn't true. The law affords you defenses and tactics you can employ to fight the administrative wage garnishment process.
The moment you get a garnishment notice in the mail you should move to hire an experienced attorney for your case. It can be difficult to defend yourself against this disruptive legal process, but it isn't impossible with the right help on your side.
An attorney will be able to look at the facts of your case and develop the best possible strategy. As experienced attorneys, they will know the ins and outs of the law and ensure your paperwork is filed correctly and on time.
However, you only have a very limited amount of time after you receive the notice to request a hearing.
What grounds can you object to wage garnishment?
If you've already paid all the money you owe the government via other means, you should certainly mention it when writing when your objection. The last thing you want is for the government to get more money than they are actually owed.
Also, you can argue that you don't owe the debt. You and your attorney will have to prove this fact.
A garnishment can be challenged because the amount claimed you owe is incorrect.
Further, you may also object to a garnishment based on the fact that it would cause a financial hardship.
If you file an object formally, you should hear from a government hearing officer within a few weeks about an official hearing. If you fail to timely file a hearing request, a garnishment order will be issued to your employer.
The hearing is a chance for you to present your evidence and arguments in favor of your defenses.
The hearing is usually done by "paper", that is, you do not have to personally appear. Your attorney submits a legal brief supported by documentation.
It's never fun to receive a garnishment notice in your mailbox.
If you do receive one, it's of the utmost importance that you respond quickly. The above information can help you to determine how to properly defend yourself against a garnishment notice and what next steps you need to take.
Need immediate help with your case? Give us a call anytime or chat with us online for assistance. We'll be able to provide a free case evaluation.
Millions of Dollars in SBA Debts Resolved via Offer in Compromise and Negotiated Repayment Agreements without our Clients filing for Bankruptcy or Facing Home Foreclosure
Millions of Dollars in Treasury Debts Defended Against via AWG Hearings, Treasury Offset Program Resolution, Cross-servicing Disputes, Private Collection Agency Representation, Compromise Offers and Negotiated Repayment Agreements
Our Attorneys are Authorized by the Agency Practice Act to Represent Federal Debtors Nationwide before the SBA, The SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals, the Treasury Department, and the Bureau of Fiscal Service.
Client personally guaranteed an SBA 7(a) loan to help with a relative’s new business venture. After the business failed, Treasury was able to secure a recurring Treasury Offset Program (TOP) levy against his monthly Social Security Benefits based on the claim that he owed over $1.2 million dollars. We initially submitted a Cross-Servicing Dispute, but then, prepared and filed an Appeals Petition with the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals (SBA OHA). As a result of our efforts, we were able to convince the SBA to not only terminate the claimed debt of $1.2 million dollars against our client (without him having to file bankruptcy) but also refund the past recurring amounts that were offset from his Social Security Benefits in connection with the TOP levy.
Client received the SBA's Official 60-Day Notice for a loan that was obtained by her small business in 2001. The SBA loan went into default in 2004 but after hearing nothing from the SBA lender or the SBA for 20 years, out of the blue, she received the SBA's collection due process notice which provided her with only one of four options: (1) repay the entire accelerated balance immediately; (2) negotiate a repayment arrangement; (3) challenge the legal enforceability of the debt with evidence; or (4) request an OHA hearing before a U.S. Administrative Law Judge.
Client hired the Firm to represent her with only 13 days left before the expiration deadline to respond to the SBA's Official 60-Day Notice. The Firm attorneys immediately researched the SBA's Official loan database to obtain information regarding the 7(a) loan. Thereafter, the Firm attorneys conducted legal research and asserted certain affirmative defenses challenging the legal enforceability of the debt. A written response was timely filed to the 60-Day Notice with the SBA subsequently agreeing with the client's affirmative defenses and legal arguments. As a result, the SBA rendered a decision immediately terminating collection of the debt against the client's alleged personal guarantee liability saving her $50,000.
Client’s small business obtained an SBA 7(a) loan for $750,000. She and her husband signed personal guarantees exposing all of their non-exempt income and assets. With just 18 months left on the maturity date and payment on the remaining balance, the Great Recession of 2008 hit, which ultimately caused the business to fail and default on the loan terms. The 7(a) lender accelerated and sent a demand for full payment of the remaining loan balance. The SBA lender’s note allowed for a default interest rate of about 7% per year. In response to the lender's aggressive collection action, Client's husband filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in an attempt to protect against their personal assets. However, his bankruptcy discharge did not relieve the Client's personal guarantee liability for the SBA debt. The SBA lender opted to pursue the SBA 7(a) Guaranty and subsequently assigned the loan and the right to enforce collection against the Client to the SBA. The Client then received the SBA Official 60-Day Notice. After conducting a Case Evaluation with her, she then hired the Firm to respond and negotiate on her behalf with just 34 days left before the impending referral to Treasury. The Client wanted to dispute the SBA’s alleged debt balance as stated in the 60-Day Notice by claiming the 7(a) lender failed to liquidate business collateral in a commercially reasonable manner - which if done properly - proceeds would have paid back the entire debt balance. However, due to time constraints, waivers contained in the SBA loan instruments, including the fact the Client was not able to inspect the SBA's records for investigation purposes before the remaining deadline, Client agreed to submit a Structured Workout for the alleged balance in response to the Official 60-Day Notice as she was not eligible for an Offer in Compromise (OIC) because of equity in non-exempt income and assets. After back and forth negotiations, the SBA Loan Specialist approved the Workout proposal, reducing the Client's purported liability by nearly $142,142.27 in accrued interest, and statutory collection fees. Without the Firm's intervention and subsequent approval of the Workout proposal, the Client's debt amount (with accrued interest, Treasury's statutory collection fee and Treasury's interest based on the Current Value of Funds Rate (CVFR) would have been nearly $291,030.
.jpg)
.jpg)
