§5-19-15. Garnishment.

Prior to entry of judgment on a consumer credit transaction, the creditor may not attach unpaid earnings of the debtor by garnishment. Notwithstanding the garnishment procedure otherwise applicable after judgment, with respect to a consumer credit transaction, the amount of unpaid earnings of the debtor subject to garnishment shall not exceed the lesser of:

(1) Twenty-five percent of the debtor's disposable earnings for that week; or

(2) The amount by which the debtor's disposable earnings for that week exceed 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage in effect when payable.

"Disposable earnings" means that part of the earnings of a debtor remaining after deduction of amounts required by law to be withheld, and disposable earnings shall not include periodic payments pursuant to a pension, retirement, or disability program.

(Acts 1971, No. 2052, p. 3290, §11; Acts 1988, No. 88-294, p. 454, §1; Acts 1996, No. 96-576, p. 887, §2.)