An assignment of wages is the transfer of the right to collect wages from the wage earner to a creditor. The assignment of wages is usually effectuated by deducting from an employee's earnings the amount necessary to pay off a debt.
An assignment of wages should be contained in a separate written instrument, signed by the person who has earned or will earn the wages or salary. The assignment should include statements identifying the transaction to which the assignment relates, the personal status of the assignor, and a recital, where appropriate, that no other assignment or order exists in connection with the same transaction.
Many jurisdictions have enacted statutory provisions concerning wage assignments that prescribe various requisites of or conditions to the validity of assignments of wages. Compliance with these statutes is essential to make such assignments effective.