Free Garnishee Information - Hawaii

GARNISHEE INFORMATION
5DC27

NOTICE TO THE DEBTOR
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a garnishee summons has been served upon your employer (who is called the "garnishee") without any further court proceedings or notice to you. The garnishee summons was issued on the basis of a judgment against you in favor of the judgment creditor. The amount of wages that may be garnished is limited by federal and Hawai`i law. Therefore, some or all of your wages are exempt from garnishment. If your wages are garnished, you may request that your employer show you how the amount garnished was calculated. In addition, the judgment creditor is required to provide your employer with duplicate receipts for wages garnished. If you claim the garnishment is incorrect you also have a right to request a hearing. In order to request a hearing, you must follow the procedures set forth in the rules of this Court and in Hawai`i Revised Statutes Section 652-1(d).

NOTICE TO THE GARNISHEE
Wages of your employees may be subject to garnishment when you are served with an Ex Parte Motion for Issuance of Garnishee Summons After Judgment or an Affidavit of Judgment Creditor for Garnishment of Wages. If you are served with a Garnishee Summons, you, as the garnishee, are required to begin withholding immediately a part of your employee's wages (including any salary, stipend, commission, annuity or net income or portion of net income under a trust). The money you withhold must then be paid to the judgment creditor(s) (the person or business who is owed the money) or the judgment creditor(s)' attorney after you receive the garnishee order, which will be sent to you. If you are served with an Affidavit of Judgment Creditor(s), you must begin paying the required portion of the garnished wages to the judgment creditor(s) or the judgment creditor(s)' attorney immediately.

Making a Disclosure
State law allows, but does not require, you to make a disclosure after you are served. If you choose to make a disclosure, you may appear in Court or file with the Court a statement (form available from the Court) indicating whether the judgment debtor(s) is: (1) your employee; and (2) whether you have any money which is due to the judgment debtor(s) which can be garnished. If you do not make a disclosure, it will be assumed that the judgment debtor is your employer and you will be required to comply with the Garnishee Summons and Order or the Affidavit of Judgment Creditor(s).

Amounts To Be Withheld
The amount of wages that may be deducted is limited by federal and Hawai`I law. Therefore, you must calculate the amount of wages to be withheld in accordance with either federal or Hawai`i law. IMPORTANT: YOU MUST USE THE CALCULATION THAT IS MOST FAVORABLE TO YOUR EMPLOYEE. A Garnishment Calculation Worksheet is available from the Court if you need assistance with your calculation. Calculation Pursuant to Hawai`i Law: According to Hawai`i Revised Statutes Chapter 652, the amount to be withheld from your employee's wages is calculated as follows: (1) (2) You must first calculate the amount of wages remaining after the deduction of any amounts required by law to be withheld. From that amount, you must withhold five percent of the first $100 per month, ten percent of the next $100 per month, and twenty percent of all sums in excess of $200 per month, or an equivalent portion of the above amount per week.
Weekly $181.91 Bi-Weekly $371.91 Semi-Monthly $402.81 Monthly $805.61

EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 1997 Use Hawai`i garnishment formula if employee's income, after deductions, is equal to or greater than:

(Rev. 10/16/2006)
(02/08) 5DC

Page 1 of 2

Form#5DC27
5D-P-189

Calculation Pursuant to Federal Law: According to Title III of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 U.S.C. § 1673), the amount to be withheld from your employee's wages is calculated as follows: (1) You must first calculate your employee's DISPOSABLE EARNINGS for the applicable pay period. The term "DISPOSABLE EARNINGS" is defined as compensation paid or payable for personal services after deducting any amounts required to be withheld by law (such as taxes). The amount of Disposable Earnings subject to garnishment is determined by the restrictions which are in effect at the time such earnings are paid or payable. From the DISPOSABLE EARNINGS, you must withhold an amount for the applicable pay period as follows:
EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 1997 Bi-Weekly Semi-Monthly $309.00 or less: $334.75 or less: None None More than $309.00 but less than More than $334.75 but less than $412.00: $446.33: Amount above $309.00 Amount above $334.75 $412.00 or more: $446.33 or more: Maximum 25% Maximum 25% Monthly $669.49 or less: None More than $669.49 but less than $892.65: Amount above $669.49 $892.65 or more: Maximum 25%

(2)

Weekly $154.50 or less: None More than $154.50 but less than $206.00: Amount above $154.50 $206.00 or more: Maximum 25%

Example: Employee's gross pay is $210 per week, $165.78 "disposable" after taxes and other deductions required by law. Hawai`i Calculation: The amount to be withheld under Hawai`i law is based on monthly disposable earnings of $718.38 ($165.78 x 52/12). Of this amount, 5% of the first $100, 10% of the second $100, and 20% of the remaining $518.38, should be withheld monthly, for a total of $118.68 per month. Federal Calculation: The amount to be withheld weekly under federal law is either the amount of disposable earnings over $154.50 ($11.28), or 25% of disposable earnings if they are more than $206, for a total of $11.28 per week or $48.89 per month. Amount to be Withheld: Because the federal calculation is more favorable to the employee, $48.89 per month must be withheld. Example: Employee's gross pay is $300 per week, $227.20 "disposable" after taxes and other deductions required by law. Hawai`i Calculation: The amount to be withheld under Hawai`i law is based on monthly disposable earnings of $984.55 ($227 x 52/12). Of this amount, 5% of the first $100, 10% of the second $100, and 20% of the remaining $748.55, should be withheld monthly, for a total of $171.99 per month. Federal Calculation: The amount to be withheld weekly under federal law is either the amount of disposable earnings over $154.50, or 25% of disposable earnings if they are more than $206, for a total of $56.80 per week or $246.14 per month. Amount to be Withheld: Because the Hawai`i calculation is more favorable to the employee, $48.89 per month, or $39.67 per week, must be withheld. Other Information The law prohibits an employer from discharging any employee because the employee's wages have been subjected to garnishment. An employer's obligation to withhold is continuing. If there is a period where the employee has not earned sufficient income, you must begin to withhold again as soon as the earnings of your employee increase sufficiently. Prior to making the final payment, you should contact the judgment creditor(s) or the judgment creditor(s)' attorney to obtain the final payoff amount which may include additional interest as allowed by law.
In accordance with Americans With Disabilities Act, if you require an accommodation or assistance with your court hearing, please contact the District Court Administration Office at PHONE NO. 246-3347, FAX 246-3347, or TTY 539-4853 at least ten (10) working days in advance of your hearing or appointment date. GARNINFO.27

(Rev. 10/16/2006)
(02/08) 5DC

Page 2 of 2

Form#5DC27
5D-P-189