Creditors are (almost) always ahead of equity in the capital stack, and putting a lien on property or garnishing wages is in no way a change in position in that

Creditors are (almost) always ahead of equity in the capital stack, and putting a lien on property or garnishing wages is in no way a change in position in that stack. Ultimately all the assets of the debtor are suitable for recovering any debts, whether they are secured or otherwise. A secured debt just means that that particular creditor has priority over other creditors when it comes to using the securing asset to recover debts, and imposes restrictions on what the debtor can do with that asset. An unsecured debt doesn't mean that the debtor can just not pay his debts without any consequences, it just means that when those consequences do come the secured creditors get their "pound of flesh" first. This is perfectly normal, and it's exactly what you sign up for when you take on a debt. Don't like it? Don't borrow money.