What does garnishment typically refer to in a legal context?

Garnishment in a legal context primarily refers to the process of collecting debts through a court order. This occurs when a creditor obtains a court judgment against a debtor, allowing the creditor to withhold a specific amount of money directly from the debtor's wages or bank account. This helps ensure that the creditor receives payment owed under the terms of the judgment, such as a loan or service fee.

In this context, garnishment serves as a mechanism for creditors to enforce their rights and collect outstanding debts, making it an essential element in debt collection practices. The ability to garnish wages or bank accounts is governed by various laws to protect both the creditor’s right to collect what is owed and the debtor's ability to maintain a minimum standard of living.

The other options relate to different legal concepts that do not involve the collection of debts through court orders. For instance, protecting against trespassing is a property law issue, while claims for taxation deal with governmental rights to levy taxes. Legal representation in divorce cases pertains to family law, which is not relevant to the scope of garnishment.