Nevada Suspends Garnishments During Virus Crisis

Court-ordered wage garnishments were temporarily suspended under a directive signed May 1 by Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (R).

Directive 017 , which took effect May 1, is to remain in effect until the end of virus emergency declared March 12 by Sisolak.

Court-ordered garnishment, as well as judgments against bank accounts, were suspended under the directive, which said said new garnishment orders are not to be issued or served. The order also required the return of funds or property that were garnished after May 1.

Garnishments that are being addressed in court also are to be temporarily suspended.

Those garnishing wages under an order are to stop withholding amounts owed without facing liability for failure to withhold, the directive said. Federal relief payments were exempt from seizure when a debt cannot be repaid to a lender, it said.

The directive’s provisions do not apply to child- or spousal support or to criminal restitution.

California, Oregon, and Washington are among states that also temporarily protected wages from garnishments.