One question I am asked fairly often as a Knoxville Social Security attorney is whether Social Security benefits can be garnished, or otherwise taken away in payment of a legal judgment. The answer is: "maybe." The key seems to be making sure that funds against which a garnishment is attempted are clearly identifiable as Social Security benefit payments. So, the best advice is to make sure the Social Security payments are deposited into their own separate account, and not mixed up with your other cash on hand.