What A Creditor Cannot Take
Va. Code 34-29 — 25 percent of a week's pay at most, and the homestead exemption
No more than 25 percent of a week's disposable earnings. In Virginia, garnishment for an ordinary debt takes no more than the lesser of 25 percent of a week's disposable earnings, or the amount by which those earnings exceed 40 times the federal or Virginia minimum hourly wage, whichever wage is greater. Support orders can take up to 50 or 60 percent, depending on whether the person supports another spouse or child.
A householder may also hold exempt, from property of their choosing including money, up to $5,000, or $10,000 at 65 or older, plus up to $50,000 in a principal residence, and $500 more for each dependent.
- The family Bible, wedding and engagement rings, and pets.
- Clothing up to $1,000, and household furnishings up to $5,000.
- Tools and equipment of the householder's trade up to $10,000, and motor vehicles up to $10,000, subject to any perfected security interest.
- Medically prescribed health aids, unpaid spousal or child support, and the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Credit parts of a tax refund.
Sources for this section (3)
- Va. Code 34-29 — Maximum portion of disposable earnings subject to garnishment
- Va. Code 34-4 — Homestead exemption created
- Va. Code 34-26 — Poor debtor's exemption; exempt articles enumerated
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Virginia attorney.