Legal Definitions - automatic wage-withholding

Automatic wage-withholding is when a court orders an employer to deduct a specific amount of money from an employee's paycheck to pay off a debt or judgment. This is also known as attachment of wages.

For example, if someone owes child support or alimony, a court may order their employer to withhold a certain percentage of their paycheck and send it directly to the person they owe money to. This ensures that the person receives the money they are owed without relying on the debtor to make payments voluntarily.

Another example is if someone is sued and a judgment is made against them, the court may order their employer to withhold a portion of their wages to pay off the debt. This is a way for the creditor to ensure they receive payment without having to rely on the debtor to make payments on their own.

Overall, automatic wage-withholding is a legal tool used to ensure that debts and judgments are paid off in a timely manner.