My bank account was garnished — is all the money lost?

Not necessarily. Some funds are protected from garnishment — a basic protected amount, certain benefits, and part of your wages. It may be possible to cancel the garnishment and recover funds that were over-collected.

What happens with a joint account?

Usually the full balance cannot be garnished over the debt of just one account holder. The non-debtor spouse may be entitled to protect their share.

How much does a check cost?

The check is free. An attorney's fee of 25% + VAT is charged only if and when a refund is actually received.

Guide · Garnishments and Over-Collection

Bank Account Garnishment — What's Allowed, What's Protected, and How to Cancel It

A garnishment on your bank account can paralyze your ability to withdraw money. But not all of the money is exposed — the law protects certain amounts and certain types of funds. Here's what you need to know.

In short: Some of the funds in the account are protected from garnishment. If protected funds were garnished from you — you may be entitled to have the garnishment canceled and get a refund.

What is a bank account garnishment?

A bank account garnishment is a procedure in which a creditor, through the Enforcement and Collection Authority or a competent authority, orders the bank to freeze funds in the debtor's account in order to collect a debt. The bank transfers the garnished funds subject to the limits set by law.

Which funds are protected from garnishment?

Basic protected amount — there is a minimum amount in the account that may not be garnished, in order to ensure a basic standard of living. This amount is updated from time to time.
Benefits and allowances — certain benefits from the National Insurance Institute are protected, in whole or in part.
Protected wages — the protected portion of wages deposited into the account continues to enjoy protection.

Garnishment of a joint account

In a joint account, usually the full balance cannot be garnished over the debt of just one of the account holders. The non-debtor spouse may be entitled to protect their share of the funds.

How do you cancel an unjustified garnishment and get a refund?

Obtain an account statement and documents proving the source of the funds (benefit/wages).
Check whether protected funds or an amount exceeding the debt were garnished.
File the appropriate application (for example, a claim of payment ("pareti") or an application to cancel/reduce the garnishment) to recover the funds and stop the collection.

Were you over-collected? Let's check — for free

A garnishment and refund-eligibility check at no cost. If you're entitled to a refund — we handle it, and charge a success fee of 25% + VAT only on the amount actually refunded. No win, no fee.

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More guides:‹ General guide: over-collection and garnishment ‹ Wage garnishment — how much can be garnished ‹ Claim of payment ("pareti") — full guide

Official sources

Assets and funds that may not be garnished — Kol-Zchut Third-party funds garnishment request / Enforcement and Collection Authority Claim of payment ("pareti") — Kol-Zchut

This guide is general information only, based on official public sources and databases, and does not constitute legal advice or a substitute for individual consultation with a lawyer. Amounts and rules are updated from time to time. Use of the website does not create an attorney–client relationship.