The most important factor is timing.
In California, the local Sheriff’s Department acts as an intermediary between a debtor and his judgment creditor. Upon a creditors receipt of a default judgment, the Sheriff issues earnings withholdings and levy orders upon employers and banks, which in turn take money from the debtor and send it to the Sheriff for holding. In California, wage garnishments are typically limited to 25% of the total check, before taxes. There are no such limitations on bank levies; a judgment creditor may clean out your entire bank account. Periodically, the Sheriff will forward any seized money, after fees, to the judgment creditor.