Washington STATE LAW

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

tape recording

– Two party state

BANKRUPTCY PROPERTY EXEMPTIONS:
(Revised Code of Washington Annotated)

– Can use either the state exemptions below or the federal exemptions
– 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.