Tennessee Code Annotated
Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-102 (2026)
Part definitions
✓ current as of May 2026
As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
- (1) "Earnings" means the compensation paid or payable for personal services, whether denominated as wages, salary, commission, bonus, or otherwise, and includes periodic payments pursuant to a pension or retirement program;
- (2) "Disposable earnings" means that part of the earnings of an individual remaining after the deduction from those earnings of any amounts required by law to be withheld; and
- (3) "Garnishment" means any legal or equitable procedure through which the earnings of an individual are required to be withheld for payment of any debt.
Acts 1978, ch. 915, § 8; T.C.A., § 26-207, T.C.A., § 26-2-105.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 61
cases, 1981–2015 · leading case: Lawrence v. Jahn (In Re Lawrence), 219 B.R. 786 (E.D. Tenn. 1998).
Lawrence v. Jahn (In Re Lawrence), 219 B.R. 786 (E.D. Tenn. 1998). “Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 26-2-102 , 26-2-103, 26-2-104, 26-2-110, 26-2-111.”
In Re Clemmer, 184 B.R. 935 (Bankr. E.D. Tenn. 1995). “On April 17, 1995, the debtor filed an Amendment to Schedules B & C to adjust his exemption of his MetLife policies to claim the two annuity contracts as exempt pursuant to Tenn.Code Ann. § 26-2-104(b), § 26-2-111(1)(D) (Supp.”
In Re Sumerell, 194 B.R. 818 (Bankr. E.D. Tenn. 1996). “00 TOTAL All of the items of personal property set forth on Schedule B were restated and claimed as exempt on Schedule C pursuant to Tenn.Code Ann. § 26-2-102, 1 the $4,000.00 personal property exemption for individuals, Tenn.”
Suntrust Bank v. Walter Joseph Burke a/k/a Walter Joseph Burke, Jr., 491 S.W.3d 693 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2015). “SunTrust argues that Tennessee Code Annotated Section 26-2-102 provides an expansive definition of earnings so as to encompass any commissions paid by Crye-Leike to Mr.”
In Re Crowell, 53 B.R. 555 (Bankr. M.D. Tenn. 1985). “The debtor’s schedule listed the following supplemental assets and exemptions: Description: Pertinent Statute: Value: '/ interest — household furnishings T.C.A. § 26-2-102 $ 1,450 xk interest — utility house T.”
In Re Rollins, 63 B.R. 780 (Bankr. E.D. Tenn. 1986). “Tenn.Code Ann. § 26-2-102; In re Farris, 8 B.”
In Re Faulkner, 79 B.R. 362 (Bankr. E.D. Tenn. 1987). “Alternatively, if it is determined that the debtor’s vested interest in the profit sharing plan is an asset of his estate, the trustee seeks a determination as to what portion of that interest, if any, is allowable to the debtor as exempt under Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 26-2-102 or…”
In Re Lafoon, 278 B.R. 767 (Bankr. E.D. Tenn. 2002). “In order to satisfy the judgment, Brokerage issued an execution and obtained possession of Norton’s 1969 Chevrolet wrecker.”
In Re Siegel, 214 B.R. 329 (Bankr. W.D. Tenn. 1997). “Tennessee does have a general personal property exemption that would permit a debtor to exempt up to $4,000 in unpaid wages, Tenn.Code Ann. § 26-2-102. *331 The Court is persuaded by the reasoning of Judge Cook Tenn.”
Shults v. Rose's Stores, Inc. (In Re Holt), 32 B.R. 767 (Bankr. E.D. Tenn. 1983). “Alternatively, the defendants assert that the debtor is entitled to an exemption in the disputed funds pursuant to Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 26-2-102 and -111(1)(D) (1980).”
Norton v. Brokerage Oil Co. (In Re Norton), 30 B.R. 712 (Bankr. E.D. Tenn. 1983). “In Schedule B-4 of his bankruptcy petition, he claims the wrecker as exempt under Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-102 (1980). 2 II Bankruptcy Code § 522(b) provides that an individual debtor may exempt from property of the estate either— (1) property that is specified under subsection…”
Erlanger Med. Ctr. v. Angela Strong a/k/a Granger, Shoney's North Georgia, LLC, Garnishee, 382 S.W.3d 349 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2012). “See T.C.A. § 26-2-102. Sho-ney’s argument is that the tips, which are paid directly to Ms.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-102(1) — 2 cases
Suntrust Bank v. Walter Joseph Burke a/k/a Walter Joseph Burke, Jr., 491 S.W.3d 693 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2015). “SunTrust argues that Tennessee Code Annotated Section 26-2-102 provides an expansive definition of earnings so as to encompass any commissions paid by Crye-Leike to Mr.”
Erlanger Med. Ctr. v. Angela Strong a/k/a Granger, Shoney's North Georgia, LLC, Garnishee, 382 S.W.3d 349 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2012). “See T.C.A. § 26-2-102. Sho-ney’s argument is that the tips, which are paid directly to Ms.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-102(2) — 1 case
Erlanger Med. Ctr. v. Angela Strong a/k/a Granger, Shoney's North Georgia, LLC, Garnishee, 382 S.W.3d 349 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2012). “See T.C.A. § 26-2-102. Sho-ney’s argument is that the tips, which are paid directly to Ms.”
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