Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California

The case is over, and you lost. Now you will have to either pay or file for bankruptcy. The time to seek legal help is when you get sued, not afterwards.

Yes it is "legal." You both owe the judgment and both of your wages are available for execution to the extent permitted by law. In fact, the creditor can also garnish your spouse's wages if she is working so that all three of you are being garnished.

Did the award find against you and your son? If so they can garnish wages.

The "limit" is whatever it takes to collect the $5,000 plus interest and any costs and fees allowed from anyone named as the defendant in the judgment. They can collect it from anyone by any legal method they choose until it is paid in full.