The most common types of garnishments are:

Child Support: A child support order is issue by the court and attaches wages from the employee, with funds (generally) being payable to the court. The court then issues a check to the custodial parent.

Marital Support: An order issued by the court resulting from a divorce decree that attaches wage from the employee, with funds (generally) payable to the court. The court then issues a check to the recipient.

Student Loans: When a student loan is uncollected, a wage garnishment can be issued to collect the unpaid balance.

Tax Levies: An order to collect on unpaid federal, state, or local taxes.

Voluntary Wage Assignment: An order issued on behalf of a creditor (i.e. credit card company) to attach the employee's wage to collect on an unpaid debt.