Opinion ID: 2116338
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: State-Federal Workweek Restrictions.

Text: Our first task is to determine whether the twenty-five percent cap on the garnishment of wages for each pay period applies to this case. Robert argues the exceptions to the twenty-five percent federal restrictions do not apply because the exceptions under our more stringent state statute do not include garnishment for alimony, and the federal law must yield to the exceptions of the more stringent state law. It is important to observe the restrictions provided by our state statute do not conflict with the restrictions of the federal act. The federal restrictions only target the amount of earnings in each pay period. The additional restrictions in section 642.21, on the other hand, protect the amount of earnings in a calendar year. The federal act does not address annual restrictions and has not preempted our state restrictions. Thus, we consider the two statutes as one, and look to the level of protection provided to debtors for each pay period under 15 U.S.C. § 1673. The twenty-five percent restriction is subject to three exceptions. The first excludes any order for the support of any person issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. Id. § 1673(b)(1)(A). In this situation, Congress substituted less stringent restrictions for each pay period. See id. § 1673(b)(2). The exception broadly applies to orders for support of any person, and includes both child support and alimony. See Perdew v. Perdew, 61 Ohio App.3d 735, 573 N.E.2d 1137, 1141 (Ohio Ct.App.1989). Additionally, there is no suggestion the alimony obligation imposed in this case was not issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. See 15 U.S.C. § 1673(b)(1)(A). The district court therefore correctly determined the separate less restrictive caps were applicable to this case under 15 U.S.C. § 1673(b)(2).