Glossary term
Levy
Short answer
A levy is the actual legal seizure of money or property to pay a debt. Where a lien is a claim that sits on property, a levy takes it — most often money pulled directly from a bank account.
Why it matters
Private creditors and debt collectors generally cannot levy anything until they sue and win a court judgment; government agencies like the IRS can levy through their own procedures. Not everything can be taken. Social Security and certain other federal benefits are generally protected from commercial creditors, and when those benefits are direct-deposited, banks are generally required to shield up to two months' worth automatically. State exemption laws can protect additional money, but the person who was levied often has to claim those exemptions quickly, on a short court deadline. That deadline is why a frozen account is a moment when many people contact legal aid or a debt-defense attorney right away — and why ignoring lawsuit paperwork is risky, since most levies follow default judgments.
Example
A debt buyer wins a default judgment against Priya after she misses her deadline to respond to the lawsuit. The buyer sends the judgment to her bank, which freezes $1,800. Part of that money is direct-deposited Social Security, so the bank automatically protects two months' worth of those benefits. For the rest, Priya files exemption paperwork with the court, and a hearing decides how much of the remaining money the creditor can actually take.
Terms used on this page
Guides that use this term
- Bank Account Levies: How They Work and What's ProtectedHow bank account levies work after a judgment, which funds are protected, why exemption deadlines are short, and the steps people generally take fast.
- Wage Garnishment for Consumer Debt: Limits and Protected IncomeHow wage garnishment works for consumer debt, the federal limits on how much can be taken, which income is protected, and how exemption claims generally work.
- Default Judgments: What They Are and Why to Avoid OneWhat a default judgment is, what creditors can do with one, how people find out too late, and why motions to set aside exist — in plain English.
Sources
This page is based on the following official and authoritative sources. Always check the source itself for the most current rules.
Educational information — not advice
This topic involves court deadlines and rights you can permanently lose.
This page provides general educational information about credit, debt, and consumer protections. It is not legal advice, financial advice, or credit repair services, and reading it does not create any professional relationship. Laws, procedures, deadlines, and dollar amounts vary by state and change over time.
Before acting or deciding not to act, strongly consider consulting a licensed attorney in your state. If cost is a concern, legal aid organizations may help for free. See our full disclaimer.