A garnishment allows a creditor to remove funds from your bank account to pay off your debt. This may happen when a creditor
sues to collect a debt you owe,
wins a court judgment against you, and
obtains a court order instructing your bank to garnish your account—that is, to turn over funds from your account to the creditor.
Other types of assets may also be garnished. For example, the creditor can ask the court to order your employer to withhold a portion of your salary and pay it to the creditor instead of to you.