Yes. The automatic stay goes into effect immediately when we file your bankruptcy petition, stopping wage garnishments, bank levies, creditor calls, and collection lawsuits. Your employer must stop garnishing your wages as soon as they receive notice of the bankruptcy filing. Creditors who continue collection efforts after receiving notice can face sanctions from the bankruptcy court. This immediate relief is one of bankruptcy’s most powerful benefits – you get breathing room right away while we work through the legal process. The automatic stay also stops utility shutoffs, eviction proceedings, and foreclosure sales, giving you time to reorganize your finances.