Ohio Wage Garnishment 2026: How the 25% Limit Is Calculated

Ohio Follows Federal Law: The 25%/$217.50 Calculation

Ohio's wage garnishment framework for ordinary judgment creditors is built on the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA), 15 U.S.C. § 1673. ORC Chapter 2716 implements that federal ceiling into Ohio practice without adding a parallel state formula. Unlike Michigan, which layers a head of household exemption under MCL § 600.5311, Ohio does not create a separate percentage test tied to family status. Unlike Illinois, which caps ordinary garnishment at 15% of gross wages with a protected earnings floor tied to state minimum wage, Ohio uses the federal dual test exactly as Congress wrote it. Federal law is both the floor and the ceiling for ordinary private creditors in Ohio.

What that means on a paycheck is straightforward but easy to underestimate. When your employer is served with a valid garnishment order under ORC § 2716.03, payroll calculates withholding using the federal lesser-of test — not an Ohio-only worksheet. Courts and creditors reference ORC Chapter 2716 because it governs procedure, service, hearings, and bank account protections, but the arithmetic on your stub is federal arithmetic. If you have read guides from Illinois or Michigan and assumed Ohio works the same way, you are working from the wrong playbook.

Ohio minimum wage in 2026 remains aligned with the federal rate of $7.25 per hour for most covered employers. That matters for wage-and-hour claims, but it does not change the garnishment protected floor. The CCPA uses 30 times the federal minimum wage — $217.50 per week — not 30 times whatever Ohio's hourly rate happens to be. Do not import Illinois's state-minimum-wage-based protected floor (45 times Illinois minimum wage) into an Ohio analysis. Ohio simply does not have that structure.

The absence of extra state protection cuts both ways. Creditors know exactly what they can reach: up to the federal maximum, subject to priority rules for child support and tax levies. Workers know there is no hidden Ohio exemption waiting in the statute books — no head of household relief, no automatic gross-wage cap like Illinois. Planning starts and often ends with the federal lesser-of test under 15 U.S.C. § 1673.

For ordinary judgment creditors, the maximum weekly garnishment is the lesser of two figures:

1. 25% of disposable earnings for that pay period, or 2. The amount by which disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25 × 30 = $217.50 per week in 2026).

If disposable earnings are at or below $217.50 for the week, ordinary garnishment is zero. That zero floor is one of the most important numbers in Ohio wage garnishment planning — and one of the most commonly missed when workers look only at the 25% figure.

Disposable earnings means gross pay minus legally required deductions. That typically includes federal income tax withholding, Ohio state income tax, local income tax if applicable, Social Security, and Medicare. Voluntary payroll deductions — 401(k) contributions beyond mandatory amounts, health insurance premiums, union dues, cafeteria plans — generally do not reduce disposable earnings for CCPA purposes. The number on your pay stub labeled "net pay" is not always the same as disposable earnings for garnishment. Bring a stub that separates required from voluntary deductions; that distinction drives the entire calculation.

The dual test exists because Congress wanted two protections: a percentage cap (you keep at least 75% of disposable earnings in the ordinary case) and a subsistence floor (low earners keep everything if they are at or below $217.50 disposable per week). Ohio applies both prongs through ORC Chapter 2716 without modification.

Worked examples at three disposable income levels:

Example A — $600 disposable per week. First prong: 25% × $600 = $150. Second prong: $600 − $217.50 = $382.50. The lesser figure is $150. Maximum ordinary garnishment: $150 per week.

Example B — $280 disposable per week. First prong: 25% × $280 = $70. Second prong: $280 − $217.50 = $62.50. The lesser figure is $62.50. Maximum ordinary garnishment: $62.50 per week.

Example C — $200 disposable per week. First prong: 25% × $200 = $50. Second prong: $200 − $217.50 = negative (no excess above the floor). The lesser figure is zero. Maximum ordinary garnishment: nothing that week.

Multiple ordinary garnishments do not stack beyond the federal aggregate cap. If two credit-card judgments both try to garnish, the combined ordinary withholding still cannot exceed the single lesser-of result for that pay period. Child support and tax levies operate under separate rules and higher percentages — and they take priority over ordinary creditors.

How Ohio Wage Garnishment Is Calculated Step by Step

Whether you are an Ohio worker trying to verify an employer's withholding or a planner estimating post-judgment cash flow, the ordinary-creditor calculation follows the same steps every time. Ohio adds no extra step beyond federal law — which makes the process simpler than Michigan (no head of household fork) but offers no additional shield at the end.

Step 1 — Identify gross wages for the pay period. Start with total earnings before deductions: regular pay, overtime, commissions, and bonuses included in the garnishment base unless a court order says otherwise. Tips treated as wages by the employer may also enter the base depending on how they are reported.

Step 2 — Subtract legally required deductions only. Remove federal income tax, Ohio state income tax, local income tax if applicable, Social Security, and Medicare. Do not subtract voluntary 401(k) deferrals, health insurance, life insurance, or loan repayments to the employer when computing disposable earnings under the CCPA. The result is disposable earnings for that period.

Step 3 — Convert to a weekly disposable figure if your pay is not weekly. Divide biweekly disposable by two, semi-monthly by 2.167 (approximate), monthly by 4.333. Consistency matters more than rounding philosophy — match how your employer's payroll vendor applies the CCPA.

Step 4 — Calculate prong one: 25% of weekly disposable earnings. Multiply disposable by 0.25. That is the first candidate maximum.

Step 5 — Calculate prong two: disposable minus $217.50. Subtract 30 × $7.25 from weekly disposable. If the result is zero or negative, prong two is zero — and prong one may still control if prong two is higher. Always take the lesser of the two prongs.

Step 6 — Compare and select the lesser amount. That number is the maximum ordinary garnishment for the week (or its prorated equivalent for your pay cycle).

Step 7 — Check for priority withholdings already on the stub. Child support income withholding, federal tax levies, and Ohio state tax levies come out first. Ordinary creditors receive what remains within the federal cap — often nothing if support already consumes the disposable slice.

Walkthrough using Example B ($280 weekly disposable). Step 2 gives $280 disposable. Step 4: 25% = $70. Step 5: $280 − $217.50 = $62.50. Step 6: lesser of $70 and $62.50 = $62.50. An employer withholding $70 on a $280 disposable week is taking too much under ORC Chapter 2716 and 15 U.S.C. § 1673.

Walkthrough using Example C ($200 weekly disposable). Step 4: 25% = $50. Step 5: $200 − $217.50 = −$17.50 (treated as zero excess). Step 6: lesser of $50 and $0 = $0. No ordinary garnishment that week — even though 25% of $200 is $50 on paper, the $217.50 floor wins.

Walkthrough using Example A ($600 weekly disposable). Step 4: 25% = $150. Step 5: $600 − $217.50 = $382.50. Step 6: lesser of $150 and $382.50 = $150. Maximum ordinary garnishment: $150 per week.

Biweekly and semi-monthly pay cycles require converting the CCPA weekly logic to your actual pay period. Many employers and calculators annualize or prorate the $217.50 floor across the pay period. The weekly examples above are the cleanest teaching model; your employer's payroll system may apply the same math on a per-check basis. If the withholding looks wrong, compare against the weekly disposable figure first, then ask whether payroll prorated correctly.

Use TheLegalCalc's Ohio Wage Garnishment Calculator to run these steps with your actual numbers. The calculator applies the federal lesser-of test Ohio uses under ORC Chapter 2716 and 15 U.S.C. § 1673. Treat the output as a planning estimate, then confirm against your pay stub and any active court orders.

The Mandatory Court Process: ORC § 2716 Explained

Ohio does not allow a creditor to garnish wages simply by sending a letter to your employer. ORC Chapter 2716 establishes a mandatory court process that protects both creditors' right to collect and debtors' right to notice and challenge. Understanding this process helps you know when garnishment is legally authorized and what paperwork to expect.

Before any wage garnishment can begin, the creditor must have a valid money judgment against you. That judgment typically comes from a lawsuit in an Ohio court of common pleas, municipal court, or county court — depending on the amount and type of claim. Credit card companies, medical providers, auto lenders, and other consumer creditors cannot skip straight to payroll withholding without first obtaining a judgment through proper service, default or trial, and entry of the judgment on the court docket.

Once the creditor has a judgment, the next step is obtaining a garnishment order. ORC § 2716.03 governs the procedure for issuing an order of garnishment of personal earnings. The creditor (or their attorney) files an application for garnishment with the court that entered the judgment. The application identifies the judgment, the balance owed, your employer as the garnishee, and the basis for believing you have wages subject to garnishment. The court reviews the application and, if proper, issues the garnishment order directing your employer to withhold a portion of your wages and pay them to the court or creditor according to the order's terms.

Service on the garnishee — your employer — is a critical step. Ohio law requires proper service of the garnishment order on the employer before withholding can begin. Your employer becomes the "garnishee" in legal terminology: the third party holding your wages who must comply with the court order. Most employers have payroll departments experienced with garnishment compliance, but errors in service dates, calculation, or continuation still occur.

Ohio's garnishment order for wages is continuous. Unlike Georgia, where O.C.G.A. § 18-4-4 limits a continuing garnishment to 179 days before renewal, Ohio treats the wage garnishment as ongoing until the judgment is satisfied, released, or terminated by court order. That continuous feature means workers can face years of withholding if the judgment balance remains — but it also means the underlying judgment itself has a finite enforceability window under ORC § 2329.07, discussed in a later section.

The garnishment order specifies how much to withhold within the federal limits of 15 U.S.C. § 1673. Your employer calculates withholding each pay cycle and remits the funds according to the court's instructions. If you believe the amount is wrong, the judgment is invalid, or your earnings are exempt, you do not argue with HR — you use the hearing rights under ORC § 2716.06 and exemption claims under ORC § 2329.66.

Priority among garnishments follows general Ohio collection principles. Child support income withholding, federal tax levies, and state tax levies take priority over ordinary judgment garnishments. If your paycheck already carries a large support withholding, an ordinary creditor's garnishment may reach little or nothing within the federal cap — even though the court order itself is valid.

Document everything from the moment you receive notice. The date the garnishment was served on your employer, the court that issued the order, the judgment case number, and the stated balance all matter for hearings, renewal challenges, and release requests. Ohio's mandatory court process gives you procedural hooks — use them before assuming the garnishment is untouchable.

The Right to a Hearing Under ORC § 2716.06

One of Ohio's most important debtor protections is procedural, not mathematical. ORC § 2716.06 gives you the right to request a hearing on a garnishment of personal earnings. This hearing is your opportunity to challenge the garnishment, assert exemptions, dispute the judgment balance, or raise other defenses before withholding continues unchecked.

When you receive notice that your wages will be garnished, read the paperwork carefully for hearing instructions and deadlines. Ohio courts typically provide a form or procedure for requesting a hearing under ORC § 2716.06. Missing the deadline can waive your right to be heard on certain issues — so act promptly, even if you are still gathering documents.

At the hearing, common issues include:

Whether the judgment is valid and properly entered. Was the lawsuit served correctly? Did you default without receiving notice? Is the judgment amount correct after payments and credits?

Whether the garnishment exceeds federal limits. If your employer is withholding more than the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount above $217.50 under 15 U.S.C. § 1673, that is an over-withholding you can raise at the hearing.

Whether your earnings or funds are exempt under ORC § 2329.66. Workers' compensation benefits, unemployment compensation, disability benefits, Ohio Works First (OWF) payments, Social Security if not commingled, and state pension benefits may be exempt from garnishment depending on how they reach your paycheck or bank account.

Whether the judgment has expired or requires renewal under ORC § 2329.07. If the underlying judgment is no longer enforceable because it was not renewed within five years, the garnishment may lack a valid foundation.

Whether the balance claimed is accurate. Creditors sometimes garnish on inflated balances that ignore prior payments, settlements, or discharged amounts in bankruptcy.

Prepare for the hearing with organized evidence. Bring pay stubs showing gross pay and each deduction line, the garnishment order and any judgment copies you have, documentation of exempt income sources, and a calculation from TheLegalCalc's Ohio Wage Garnishment Calculator showing what the federal cap should produce for your disposable earnings.

The hearing is not a substitute for legal advice, but it is a real procedural right — not a courtesy. Ohio legislators included ORC § 2716.06 because wage garnishment directly affects basic living expenses. Courts expect both sides to present evidence. If you have complex exemption claims, commingled bank accounts, or multiple competing garnishments, consider consulting a licensed Ohio attorney before the hearing date.

Even if you do not prevail on every issue, requesting a hearing can surface accounting errors, prompt a creditor to correct the balance, or buy time to negotiate a lump-sum settlement. Creditors who know you are engaged procedurally sometimes settle on better terms than they offer to workers who never respond.

After the hearing, the court may modify the garnishment, confirm it, or order a release if your defenses succeed. Follow up in writing with the employer and the creditor's attorney if the court orders a change — payroll departments need a court order or release, not just your word that the hearing went well.

What Is Exempt from Garnishment in Ohio (ORC § 2329.66)

Beyond the federal CCPA disposable-income caps, Ohio law protects certain income streams and property from garnishment by ordinary judgment creditors. ORC § 2329.66 is Ohio's central exemption statute — the provision you cite when arguing that specific funds should not be reached, whether through wage withholding or a bank account levy.

Workers' compensation benefits are exempt from garnishment by ordinary judgment creditors under ORC § 2329.66. If your income stream is primarily workers' comp rather than wages, the analysis may shift away from ordinary wage garnishment under ORC Chapter 2716 entirely — though lump-sum settlements and how funds are held can affect the outcome. Bring payment records and award letters to any hearing.

Unemployment compensation benefits are exempt. Ohio unemployment insurance payments are designed as a temporary subsistence replacement, and ORC § 2329.66 shields them from ordinary creditor garnishment. If unemployment is your only income, wage garnishment may not apply at all — though direct deposit into commingled accounts can create tracing problems if a creditor levies the bank account instead.

Disability benefits receive protection in typical Ohio exemption analysis. This includes certain state and private disability payments when they qualify as exempt under ORC § 2329.66. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is federally protected from garnishment for most private debts when identifiable and not commingled beyond recognition in a bank account. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is needs-based and generally exempt.

Ohio Works First (OWF) payments — Ohio's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program — are exempt from garnishment. Public assistance streams should be documented with award letters if you must assert exemptions in court under ORC § 2329.66.

Social Security retirement and SSDI benefits are federally protected from garnishment for most private debts when they are identifiable and not commingled beyond recognition. If Social Security deposits mix freely with wages in a checking account, a creditor levying the account may freeze the entire balance until you trace exempt portions in a claim of exemption proceeding. Direct deposit segregation — keeping Social Security in a dedicated account — is one of the most practical protections available to Ohio seniors and disabled workers.

State and municipal pension benefits receive protection under ORC § 2329.66 for many consumer judgments. Public employee retirement systems, police and fire pensions, and similar state-administered retirement streams often qualify for exemption, though federal offset rules may apply for debts owed to government agencies. Federal civil service pensions and military retirement pay have their own federal exemption frameworks.

Wages themselves are not "exempt" in the sense of being untouchable — they are capped by the CCPA formula under 15 U.S.C. § 1673. The exemption conversation in Ohio is therefore about non-wage income, benefit streams, and bank accounts — not about a Michigan-style head of household wage shield. If someone tells you that being the primary earner for your family automatically reduces garnishment in Ohio, that is Michigan law talking, not ORC § 2329.66.

Bank levies vs. wage garnishment. Exempt income may stop a bank account seizure even when your employer can still withhold wages under the federal formula. ORC § 2716.13 adds a separate $400 bank account protection discussed in its own section. File exemption claims promptly when you receive notice of a levy — Ohio courts provide mechanisms to assert exemptions under ORC § 2329.66, and deadlines are unforgiving.

Document everything. Award letters, SSA benefit verification, workers' comp payment records, unemployment determination notices, OWF eligibility documents, and pension statements belong in a folder before you need them. Courts decide exemption disputes on paperwork, not on verbal assurances about where money came from.

The 5-Year Judgment Rule: ORC § 2329.07 and Renewals

Ohio workers often assume that a garnishment runs until the debt is paid — and in one sense, that is true. ORC Chapter 2716 creates a continuous wage garnishment that continues withholding each pay cycle until the judgment is satisfied or released. But the underlying money judgment itself does not last forever. ORC § 2329.07 establishes a five-year enforceability window that creditors must navigate through renewal.

Under ORC § 2329.07, a money judgment in Ohio expires after five years unless the judgment creditor takes steps to renew it. Renewal typically involves filing a renewal action or proceeding before the five-year period lapses — the exact procedure depends on court rules and whether the judgment debtor has moved or assets have changed. If the creditor fails to renew, the judgment may become unenforceable even if a balance remains on paper.

Why this matters for wage garnishment. A continuous garnishment order under ORC Chapter 2716 is only as strong as the judgment it enforces. If the underlying judgment expires under ORC § 2329.07 without renewal, you may have grounds to challenge continued withholding at a hearing under ORC § 2716.06. The garnishment order does not automatically self-destruct on the five-year anniversary — creditors and employers sometimes continue stale garnishments because nobody tracked the renewal date — but your legal defense may improve significantly once the judgment is no longer enforceable.

Track two timelines, not one. Timeline one is the garnishment itself: continuous until satisfied, released, or terminated by court order. Timeline two is the judgment: five years from entry unless renewed under ORC § 2329.07. A creditor can have a valid continuous garnishment for years while the judgment remains renewable and enforceable. Once renewal fails, the foundation crumbles even if payroll never received a stop notice.

Practical steps for Ohio workers. Locate the judgment entry date on the court docket or garnishment paperwork. Count forward five years. If that date has passed and you have no record of renewal, consult counsel or raise the issue at an ORC § 2716.06 hearing. Even if renewal occurred, verify it was proper — renewal defects sometimes appear in the docket history.

Creditors who want uninterrupted withholding across decades must stay on top of ORC § 2329.07 renewals. Workers who track judgment dates protect themselves from both over-withholding on expired judgments and surprise restarts after a proper renewal. When a garnishment ends — whether by satisfaction, expiration, or release — get written confirmation. A satisfied judgment should produce a release of garnishment filed with the court and delivered to the employer.

Compare Ohio to Georgia's 179-day garnishment renewal cycle under O.C.G.A. § 18-4-4. Georgia limits the garnishment instrument itself to roughly six months before reissuance. Ohio's continuous garnishment model means less frequent procedural interruption for creditors — but the five-year judgment rule under ORC § 2329.07 still forces periodic legal maintenance. Neither system lets a judgment creditor sleep forever; they just sleep on different schedules.

If you are negotiating a settlement, ask whether the judgment will be marked satisfied and whether a release will be filed immediately upon payment. Ohio's continuous garnishment makes it especially important to confirm withholding stops when the balance hits zero — not when the creditor "gets around to it." A satisfied judgment with no release can mean payroll keeps withholding until someone files the paperwork.

$400 Bank Account Protection: ORC § 2716.13

Ohio provides a specific bank account protection that federal law does not offer on its own. ORC § 2716.13 protects up to $400 in a debtor's deposit account from garnishment. This is separate from the wage withholding formula under 15 U.S.C. § 1673 and separate from the income-type exemptions in ORC § 2329.66 — it is a dollar-amount shield for money sitting in a bank account when a creditor tries to levy it.

How ORC § 2716.13 works in practice. When a judgment creditor garnishes a bank account rather than wages, the financial institution may be required to leave up to $400 in the account for the debtor's use. This protection recognizes that completely draining a checking account can prevent a worker from paying rent, buying groceries, or covering transit to work — even when the creditor has a valid judgment.

The $400 protection applies to deposit accounts subject to garnishment under ORC Chapter 2716. It does not make the entire account untouchable — amounts above $400 can still be levied unless other exemptions apply. If your account holds $1,500 and $400 is protected, the creditor may reach the remaining $1,100 subject to exemption claims for Social Security, unemployment, workers' comp, or other exempt funds under ORC § 2329.66.

Commingling complicates everything. If your account mixes exempt income (Social Security, unemployment, OWF) with non-exempt wages, tracing becomes essential. ORC § 2716.13 protects $400 regardless of source in the deposit account context — but exempt-income arguments under ORC § 2329.66 may protect additional amounts above the $400 floor if you can prove the character of the deposits. Bring bank statements showing direct deposit sources and dates.

Bank levy vs. wage garnishment. Creditors choose their collection tools. Some pursue continuous wage garnishment under ORC § 2716.03 because it creates a steady payment stream. Others levy bank accounts for lump-sum recovery — especially when they believe you may receive a tax refund, settlement, or other deposit. ORC § 2716.13 is most relevant in the bank levy scenario. Wage garnishment calculations still follow the 25% / $217.50 federal test.

If you receive notice of a bank garnishment, act quickly. Ohio courts provide exemption claim procedures, and deadlines are short. Assert ORC § 2716.13 protection, ORC § 2329.66 exemptions for specific income types, and any other defenses in writing to the court listed on the notice. Missing a deadline can mean losing arguments you could have won with proper documentation.

The $400 figure is not indexed to inflation in most readings of the statute — it has remained a fixed dollar amount in Ohio law. Planners should treat it as a modest but real cushion, not a substitute for full account protection. For workers living paycheck to paycheck, however, $400 can be the difference between keeping utilities on and a shutoff notice during collection proceedings.

Coordinate bank account strategy with wage garnishment planning. If your employer is already withholding under a continuous garnishment, a simultaneous bank levy can feel like a double hit. Review all active collection orders, use TheLegalCalc's Ohio calculator for wage estimates, and bring a complete financial picture to any ORC § 2716.06 hearing or exemption proceeding.

Ohio vs Illinois vs Georgia: How State Protections Compare

Ohio's wage garnishment policy is best understood by comparison. Because ORC Chapter 2716 tracks 15 U.S.C. § 1673 without adding state-specific wage caps, Ohio workers face the federal standard — no more, no less. Illinois and Georgia illustrate how different that can feel in practice for the same debt and similar earnings.

Illinois ordinary garnishment uses a state formula that includes 15% of gross wages as one prong and a protected earnings floor tied to Illinois minimum wage (commonly expressed as 45 times the state minimum wage — $675 per week when Illinois minimum wage is $15.00 in 2026). For many middle-income workers, 15% of gross is lower than 25% of disposable. Illinois also protects more low-income earnings before any withholding begins because its floor is far above Ohio's $217.50 federal floor. A worker earning $280 disposable per week faces $62.50 maximum ordinary garnishment in Ohio but might face a different — often lower — result in Illinois depending on gross pay.

Georgia, like Ohio, follows federal CCPA limits without adding state-specific wage enhancements. O.C.G.A. § 18-4-5 incorporates 15 U.S.C. § 1673 directly. The same $600 disposable paycheck produces the same $150 ordinary garnishment maximum in both Ohio and Georgia under the lesser-of test. Where Georgia differs is procedural: O.C.G.A. § 18-4-4 limits a continuing wage garnishment to 179 days before renewal, while Ohio's ORC Chapter 2716 treats wage garnishment as continuous until the debt is paid — subject to the five-year judgment renewal rule in ORC § 2329.07.

Ohio's distinctive procedural features compared to Georgia include the mandatory court process under ORC § 2716.03, the hearing right under ORC § 2716.06, and the $400 bank account protection under ORC § 2716.13. Georgia does not offer an identical $400 bank shield in the same statutory form. Both states lack Michigan's head of household exemption under MCL § 600.5311.

Same numbers, different states — illustration. Take $600 weekly disposable earnings. In Ohio under ORC Chapter 2716, ordinary maximum = $150 (25% of $600, lesser of the two prongs). In Georgia under O.C.G.A. § 18-4-5, ordinary maximum = $150 — identical math. In Illinois, the result depends on gross pay and the Illinois formula — often lower than $150 for comparable earners because 15% of gross frequently beats 25% of disposable.

Take $200 weekly disposable earnings. In Ohio and Georgia, ordinary garnishment is zero because disposable income is at or below the $217.50 federal floor. In Illinois, the result may still be zero depending on gross pay and the Illinois protected floor — but Illinois's higher floor protects more earners in the $250–$500 disposable range than Ohio's $217.50 baseline.

Mobility matters. If you moved from Illinois to Ohio with an existing judgment, wage garnishment amounts can increase because Ohio does not cap at 15% of gross. If you moved from Georgia to Ohio, the weekly withholding math may look identical, but the garnishment duration rules change — Ohio's continuous garnishment vs. Georgia's 179-day renewal cycle. Employment location drives applicable withholding law.

For policy context, Ohio's choice to adopt federal limits without enhancement is legislative silence — not an accident in drafting. Workers seeking stronger protection must look to federal bankruptcy remedies, settlement, exemption assets under ORC § 2329.66, the $400 bank shield under ORC § 2716.13, or political change — not to a hidden Ohio wage cap. Ohio gives you predictable federal math, a real hearing right, and bank account protection — but not Illinois-style gross-wage limits or Michigan-style family-status exemptions.

Ohio Courts and the Calculator

Official Ohio legal resources are the starting point for statutes, forms, and garnishment procedures. Visit codes.ohio.gov to read ORC Chapter 2716 (garnishment procedure), ORC § 2329.66 (exemptions), ORC § 2329.07 (judgment renewal), and ORC § 2716.13 ($400 bank account protection) in full text. Statutory language is the anchor when your employer's withholding, a creditor's balance claim, or a court order does not match what you expected.

The Ohio Attorney General publishes consumer information, collection practice guidance, and resources that can help you understand your rights when dealing with debt collectors and garnishment. While the Attorney General is not your personal lawyer, the office's educational materials can clarify how Ohio law interacts with federal CCPA limits and what to watch for in collection documents.

Ohio courts of common pleas, municipal courts, and county courts handle most garnishment orders. Procedures vary slightly by court and county — always confirm filing requirements, hearing request forms, and exemption claim deadlines with the clerk of the court that issued your order. If you received notice from a specific court, that court's website and clerk's office are your first stop for ORC § 2716.06 hearing requests and exemption filings under ORC § 2329.66.

For planning estimates before you talk to counsel or file a hearing request, use TheLegalCalc's Ohio Wage Garnishment Calculator. Enter weekly disposable earnings (or let the tool convert from your pay cycle). The calculator applies the federal lesser-of test that Ohio uses under ORC Chapter 2716 and 15 U.S.C. § 1673 — 25% of disposable vs. the amount above $217.50, with zero withholding at or below the floor. Run the examples: $600 disposable → $150 maximum; $280 disposable → $62.50 maximum; $200 disposable → zero.

Bring three things to any consultation or ORC § 2716.06 hearing: (1) the calculator result for your disposable income, (2) your last three pay stubs showing deduction lines, and (3) the garnishment order with the judgment entry date for the ORC § 2329.07 five-year renewal analysis. If a bank levy is involved, add account statements and proof of ORC § 2716.13 and ORC § 2329.66 exemptions. Judges and mediators respond to organized arithmetic. Creditors respond to documented errors and release demands.

Ohio does not give workers an Illinois-style gross-wage cap or a Michigan-style head of household shortcut. What it does give you is a predictable federal formula, a mandatory court process under ORC § 2716.03, a hearing right under ORC § 2716.06, exemption protection under ORC § 2329.66, $400 bank account protection under ORC § 2716.13, and a five-year judgment renewal rule under ORC § 2329.07 that can end stale garnishments. Start with the calculator, verify with the statutes at codes.ohio.gov, and escalate to a licensed Ohio attorney when the order type, the amount, or the judgment timeline does not match the law.