WAGE GARNISHMENT EXEMPTION: 75% of earnings or 40 times the federal minimum hourly wage, whichever is greater
MAXIMUM INTEREST RATE: Legal: 12% Judgment: 12%
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON ENFORCEMENT:
Open Account (credit card): 3 years
Written Contract: 6 years
Domestic Judgment: 10 years
Foreign Judgment: 10 years
BAD CHECK LAW DAMAGES: Check amount, interest, collection costs up to $40
BANKRUPTCY PROPERTY EXEMPTIONS (Revised Code of Washington Annotated):
The State of Washington has exempted the property and income below from seizure by the bankruptcy court to pay creditors:
Real Property: Real property or mobile home to $30,000; must file homestead declaration with county [6.13.010 and 6.13.030] Note: Read statute for special exemptions if you are seeking to discharge Washington state income taxes
Personal Property: Clothing, unlimited amount, but value of furs and jewelry cannot exceed $1,000 [6.15.010(1)]; books up to $1,500, keepsakes and pictures, unlimited amount [6.15.010(2)]; appliances, home and yard equipment, furniture and household goods, up to $2,700 total, and food and fuel, amount needed [6.15.010(3)(a)]; any personal property up to $1,000, but only $100 of this can consist of cash, stocks, bonds and other securities or bank deposits [6.15.010(3)(b)]; up to two motor vehicles, not to exceed $2,500 total [6.15.010(3)(c)]; farm equipment consisting of seed, stock, tools, equipment and vehicles, up to $5,000 total [6.15.010(4)(a)]; library, office equip. and furniture and supplies of attorney, clergy, physician or other professional, up to $5,000 total [6.15.010(4)(b)]; tools of trade up to $5,000 [6.15.010(4)(c)]; burial plots in non-profit cemetery, unlimited amt [68.20.120]
Insurance / Annuities: Fraternal society benefits, unlimited amount [48.36A.180]; group life insurance policy or proceeds, unlimited amount [48.18.420]; insurance proceeds for destroyed exempt property up to exemption amount [6.15.030]; life insurance proceeds if beneficiary is not the insured, unlimited amount [48.18.410] disability proceeds or benefits, unlimited amount [48.18.400]; annuity proceeds to $250 per month [48.18.430]
Pensions / Retirement Plans: IRAs and retirement benefits, unlimited amount [6.15.020]; public employees, unlimited amount [41.40.052]; city employees, unlimited amount [41.28.200]; state patrol officers, unlimited amount [43.43.310]; volunteer firefighters, unlimited amount [41.24.240]
Public Benefits / Entitlements: Unemployment compensation, unlimited amount [50.40.020]; workers' compensation, unlimited amount [51.32.040]; aid to families with dependent children, unlimited amt [74.13.070]; crime victims' compensation, unlimited amount [7.68.070]; general assistance, unlimited amt [74.04.280]; old-age assistance, unlimited amt [74.08.210]
Wages: 75% of earned but unpaid wages [6.27.150]
Miscellaneous: None.
