Surviving A Wage Garnishment In A Few Simple Steps

Getting hit with a garnishment can be devastating to your budget. One of the positive points of a garnishment is that you are now paying off your debts when necessary. If you have been notified of a wage garnishment, you may need to do things to rearrange your life and how you will work out your budget. Here are a few simple tips for surviving a wage garnishment. 

Hire an attorney to fight it

One of the first steps that you should make is finding an attorney that can fight the garnishment. You may be able to show your need, or you may be able to work out a payment plan with the company, rather than get a wage garnishment. The attorney may be able to file paperwork to alter the garnishment in your favor, especially if you have mitigating circumstances. Talk to an attorney as soon as you receive the order to figure out what your options are. 

Get a second job

A second job where you operate as a contractor can help to bring up any shortfall that the garnishment has caused in your budget. A job in sales or another contract-based career will allow you to collect money directly from clients. This will increase your budget without worry of a second garnishment order. A second job that you enjoy can also keep your mind off of the stress that tends to come with financial problems. Find a second job that has flexible hours and allows you to work when you wish as to not to add more stress to your life. Keep this money for your household budget rather than your debt. 

Start payment plans for other bills

With a wage garnishment comes a decrease in take-home income. This would make a garnishment the right time to renegotiate your other bills. Go on payment plans for other bills such as credit cards and even electricity. Many companies offer payment plans that can be monthly or bi-weekly so that you can pay on a schedule that works for you. If there are items that you do not need, and you are on a payment plan for them, you can negotiate to give these items back to the store in exchange for cutting off payments. Payment plans will give you a little more stability and can allow you to keep more money in your pocket on a monthly basis. 

For more information, contact a lawyer like Stuart J Sinsheimer Attorney at Law today.