What Is A Voluntary Wage Assignment?

A voluntary wage assignment is a written contract in which the debtor agrees that a certain amount will be deducted from their paycheck to pay the creditor. Because it is voluntary, it is different from a garnishment. Since the employer’s accounting department must make the deduction and send it to the creditor, talk to the employer first to see if this arrangement is acceptable. Some employers refuse to handle voluntary wage assignments because it complicates their payroll procedure. If acceptable to the employer, the voluntary wage assignment is better than a garnishment. In the eyes of the employer, the debtor is taking the responsibility of arranging to meet their obligations, rather than being forced to pay debts. Some employers find reasons to suspend or fire employees if their wages are garnished.