Debt Defense – State Procedures

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    Consumer Debt Lawsuit Process – Multi-State Comparison

    State Court Types & Limits Time to Respond Judgment Duration Wage Garnishment Rules Bank Levy Rules Appeal Deadlines
    Florida (FL) County Court ≤ $50k; Small Claims ≤ $8k; Circuit Court > $50k 20 days (written Answer) or appear at Pretrial in Small Claims 20 years Up to 25% disposable income (some exemptions) Yes; exempt funds protected 10 days to appeal County/Circuit; Small Claims varies
    Tennessee (TN) General Sessions ≤ $25k; Circuit Court > $25k; Chancery in some cases GS: appear on hearing date; Circuit: 30 days to Answer 10 years (renewable) Up to 25% disposable income Yes; exemptions apply 10 days from GS to appeal to Circuit
    Maryland (MD) District Court ≤ $30k (Small Claims ≤ $5k); Circuit Court > $30k DC Small: appear; DC Large: 15 days Notice of Intention; Circuit: 30 days Answer 12 years (renewable) Up to 25% disposable income Yes; certain funds exempt 30 days to appeal DC to Circuit
    Pennsylvania (PA) Magisterial District ≤ $12k; Common Pleas > $12k MDJ: appear; Common Pleas: 20 days + 10-day notice 5 years (renewable) No wage garnishment for most consumer debts Yes; exemptions apply 30 days MDJ to Common Pleas
    New Jersey (NJ) Special Civil ≤ $20k; Small Claims ≤ $5k; Civil > $20k 35 days to Answer 20 years Up to 10% gross wages if > $217.50/week Yes; exemptions for benefits 45 days to appeal final judgment
    Texas (TX) Justice Court ≤ $20k; County/District Court > $20k JP: Monday after 14 days; County/District: Monday after 20 days 10 years (renewable) No wage garnishment for most consumer debts Yes; exemptions for protected funds 21 days from JP to appeal to County
    Arizona (AZ) Justice Court ≤ $10k; Superior Court > $10k 20 days (30 if out-of-state) 10 years (renewable) Up to 25% disposable income Yes; exempt funds protected 14 days from JC to appeal to Superior
    Wyoming (WY) Circuit Court ≤ $50k; District Court > $50k 20 days (30 if out-of-state) 8 years (renewable) Up to 25% disposable income Yes; exemptions for benefits 30 days to appeal Circuit to District
    California (CA) Small Claims ≤ $12.5k; Limited Civil > $12.5k ≤ $25k; Unlimited Civil > $25k 30 days to Answer 10 years (renewable) Up to 25% disposable income (hardship reductions possible) Yes; exempt funds protected Small Claims: 30 days; Civil: 60 days