Washington District of Columbia STATE LAW

WAGE GARNISHMENT EXEMPTION

– Federal law applies. [Government employees exempt from garnishments]

MAXIMUM INTEREST RATE

– Legal: 6%
– Judgment: 70% of interest rate on taxes to IRS

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

– Open Account (credit card): 3 years
– Written Contract: 3 years
– Domestic Judgment: 20 years
– Foreign Judgment: Foreign Statute Applies

BAD CHECK LAW DAMAGES:

– Check amount plus protest fees

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– One party state

BANKRUPTCY PROPERTY EXEMPTIONS

– The District of Columbia exempts the property below from seizure by bankruptcy court to pay creditors.
– You may claim either the exemptions below or the federal exemptions

Real Estate:

– None

Personal Property:

– Food and fuel amount to last three months [15–501(a)(3) and (4)
– Clothing up to $300 [15–501(a)(1) and 15–503(b)]
– Motor vehicle, wagon, horse and harness up to $500 [15–501(a)(7)]
– Books and family pictures up to $400 [15–501(a)(8)]
– Beds, bedding, radios, cooking utensils, stoves, furniture, furnishings and sewing machines up to $300 total [5–501(a)(2)]
– Business inventory and materials up to $200 [15–501(a)(5)]
– Cooperative association holdings up to $50 [29–1128]
– Library, furniture, tools of professional or artist up to $300 [15–501(a)(6)]
– Mechanic's tools and tools of a trade or business up to $200 [15–501(a)(5) and 15–503(b)]
– Residential condominium deposit, unlimited amount [45–1869]
– Notary public seal and documents, unlimited amount [1–806]

Insurance:

– Fraternal society benefits, unlimited amount [35–1245]
– Disability benefits, unlimited amount [35–522]
– Group life insurance policy or proceeds, unlimited amount [35–523]
– Life insurance proceeds if policy prohibits proceeds from being used to pay creditors, unlimited amount [35–525]
– Other insurance proceeds up to $60 per month for two months, if head of household, then up to $200 per month [15–503]

Pensions / Retirement Plans:

– Public school teachers, unlimited account [31–1217 and 31–1238]
– Judges, unlimited amount [11–1570(f)]

Public Benefits / Entitlements:

– Unemployment compensation, unlimited amount [46–119]
– Workers' compensation, unlimited amount [36–317]
– Aid to blind, aged, disabled, and families with dependent children, general assistance, unlimited amount [3–215.1]
– Crime victims' compensation, unlimited amount [46–119]

Wages:

– 75% of earned but unpaid wages or pension payments [16–572]

Miscellaneous:

– Business partnership property; library, furniture, tools of professional or artist to $300; mechanic's tools, tools of trade or business to $200; motor vehicle, cart, wagon and horse to $500; stock and materials to $200