When Georgia's garnishment law was called unconstitutional earlier this month, a judge stopped garnishments in Gwinnett County. But they were allowed to continue in the rest of the state.

Now, at least two other counties have stopped issuing new garnishments. Two more counties require that people are told what money is exempt from being taken when a garnishment is filed.

In addition to the piecemeal reactions, the ruling also swept up people like Kathy Bell, who lives in Buford. Bell's ex-husband had his wages garnished when he didn't pay thousands of dollars he owed in alimony.

But because Gwinnett can’t distribute garnished money, Bell is no longer getting her check.

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com