Bank Levy Help
Waking up to a frozen account is alarming, and the clock starts immediately. A bank levy lets a judgment creditor take funds directly from your account, but the money is not gone yet — a bankruptcy lawyer can move to stop the levy, claim exempt funds and address the judgment behind it
Stop the Levy
Claim Exempt Funds
Resolve the Judgment
Free Case Evaluation
HOW A BANK LEVY WORKS
A bank levy follows a money judgment. Once a creditor has judgment, it can obtain a writ of execution and instruct the sheriff to serve your bank, which then freezes the funds held that day.
There is a short window between the freeze and the release of funds to the creditor. Acting inside that window is what makes recovery possible.
Not every dollar can be taken. Social Security, SSI, veterans and other public benefits, and some wages are protected — but the protection has to be claimed, usually through a claim of exemption.
Filing bankruptcy triggers the automatic stay, which stops the levy and further collection. Depending on timing and the source of the funds, recently levied money may also be recoverable
Why Your Account Was Frozen
A levy almost always means a creditor already holds a judgment — often from a debt collection lawsuit you were never able to defend.
Claim of Exemption
Exempt funds such as Social Security, public benefits and certain wages can be claimed back, but the claim must be filed within a short statutory window.
The Automatic Stay
Filing a bankruptcy case stops the levy immediately and prevents the same creditor from levying the account again.
Fixing the Root Cause
A levy is a symptom of an unresolved judgment. Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 addresses the underlying debt so the levies stop for good.
THE BANK LEVY RESPONSE PROCESS
1
URGENT REVIEW
Identify the creditor, the judgment behind the levy, the amount frozen and the deadline for responding.
2
PROTECT EXEMPT FUNDS
Prepare and file a claim of exemption for benefits, wages and other protected funds in the account.
3
STOP THE COLLECTION
Where appropriate, file a bankruptcy case so the automatic stay halts the levy and any further enforcement.
4
RESOLVE THE DEBT
Discharge or restructure the underlying judgment debt so the account cannot be levied again.
Why Clients Choose Our Firm
- Free initial consultation
- Fast response on frozen accounts and short deadlines
- Experience with bank levies and claims of exemption in Alameda County
- Clear explanation of what can and cannot be recovered
- Long-term resolution of the judgment, not just the levy
BANK LEVY FAQ
Meet Your Debt Relief Attorney
Melanie Travare
Principal Attorney & Founder
Melanie Tavare helps East Bay clients respond to bank levies quickly — protecting exempt funds, stopping the enforcement and resolving the judgment behind it so the account is not frozen again.
LEGAL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES
California Courts — Enforcement of Judgments
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/bankruptcy
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/debt-collection/
Social Security Administration — Benefit Protections
https://www.ssa.gov/