Debt Collection Laws in Utah
If you're dealing with debt collection in Utah, here's what actually protects you: a cap on how much of your paycheck can be garnished, a base amount of home equity and bank funds creditors can't touch, and a deadline after which a debt lawsuit generally can't succeed. Current as ofJuly 2026 — sourcing for each section is linked below.
Utah's 2026 debt outlook
Bankruptcy filings in Utah ran 7,993 in the 12 months ending March 2026, versus 7,104 the year before (+12.5%), per official U.S. Courts data. See the full 51-state filing ranking.
Serious mortgage delinquency (90+ days late) in Utah sits at 0.6%, trending toward roughly 0.8% by the end of 2026 (elevated and rising). See the full 51-state outlook and methodology.
Debt collection complaints to the CFPB from Utah residents ran 543 so far in 2026, versus 531 over the same window in 2025 (+2%). See the full state-by-state surge ranking.
How much of my paycheck can be garnished in Utah?
Utah ordinary garnishment limits come from the applicable state execution rules and federal CCPA, not § 70C-7-103 alone. Education-debt treatment depends on the governing law; private student loans do not automatically receive a federal 15% cap.
Section 70C-7-103 supplies the cap for covered consumer-credit claims, while Utah's execution rules and federal law govern the broader garnishment process. Child support follows a separate scale that can reach 50-65% of disposable earnings depending on arrears and other dependents.
Can a creditor take money from my bank account in Utah?
Utah has no general bank-dollar cushion. Only funds covered by a specific exemption remain protected under that exemption's own terms; there is no generic traced-wage protection after deposit.
Wage-garnishment limits do not turn ordinary wages into permanently exempt bank funds after deposit. Utah Code § 78B-5-507 preserves only the exemptions and tracing rights the statute specifically identifies.
Is my home protected from creditors in Utah?
Utah's homestead amounts are indexed annually. Check the Utah State Auditor's current exemption table before relying on a dollar figure; this page does not publish stale statutory bases as current amounts.
The figures printed in older versions of the statute are bases, not reliable current amounts. Use the Auditor's current table for the year in which the exemption is claimed.
How long can a debt collector sue me in Utah?
A collector has 6 years to sue you in Utah over credit card debt or any other written contract. If there was never a written contract — just a verbal agreement or open account — that window is shorter, only 4 years.
| Debt type | Statute of limitations |
|---|---|
| Credit card / written contract | 6 years |
| Oral contract / open account | 4 years |
Utah Code § 78B-2-113 controls when a new promise or payment affects limitations and must be applied to its terms; not every payment categorically revives an expired claim.
Does Utah have its own debt collection law beyond the federal FDCPA?
Utah repealed its own collection-agency licensing law, so third-party collectors here are regulated mainly by the federal FDCPA and CFPB's Regulation F rather than a dedicated state license. The closest state-law backstop is the broader Consumer Sales Practices Act, which bars deceptive or unconscionable practices by any supplier in a consumer transaction.
That law is not collection-specific. Coverage, private remedies, damages, fees, and defenses depend on the statutory requirements rather than following automatically from an FDCPA violation.
Where can I find free or low-cost legal help in Utah?
If you're dealing with a debt lawsuit, garnishment, or collector dispute in Utah, a good starting point is the state bar's lawyer referral service or one of the legal aid organizations below — both can point you to self-help court resources even if you don't qualify for free representation.