Garnishment Law Summaries

Garnishment Law Summaries

Puerto Rico, Garnishment Law Summaries

Puerto Rico's garnishment law is found in the Laws of Puerto Rico Annotated, Title 18, Ch. 17; Title 29, Ch. 47; and Title 32; Ch. 105.

COVERAGE

Employee wages are subject to garnishment.

PROCEDURES

Amounts exempt from or subject to garnishment.- Three-fourths of the earnings of an employee for personal services rendered at any time within 30 days immediately preceding a levy of execution or attachment are exempt from garnishment if such earnings are necessary for the use of his family supported wholly or partly by him (32 L.P.R.A. Sec. 1130).

Employment Security Act benefits.- Rights to benefits under the Employment Security Act are exempt from levy, execution, attachment, or any other remedy. Benefits received by any individual are exempt from any remedy for the collection of all debts, so long as they are not mingled with other funds of the recipient, except debts incurred for necessities furnished to the individual or his spouse or dependents during the time when the individual was unemployed (29 L.P.R.A. Sec. 705).

Funds accumulated in the Annuity and Pension Fund for the School Teachers of Puerto Rico are not subject to attachment (18 L.P.R.A. Sec. 323). A teacher's life annuity may not be attached or affected by any legal procedure (18 L.P.R.A. Sec. 361).

WHAT THE EMPLOYER MUST DO

An employer served with a garnishment order must withhold as instructed in the order.

WHO TO CONTACT

Employers with questions about a garnishment order should contact the issuer of the order.