Washington Bankruptcy Exemptions

This list of exemptions updated August 2007. All law references are to Revised Code of Washington Annotated unless otherwise noted. Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions are allowed in Washington.

Homestead

6.13.010 - Real property or mobile home up to $40,000. If property is unimproved but intended to be occupied at time of filing bankruptcy up to $15,000.

Personal Property

6.15.010 - Motor vehicle up to $2,500 if single or 2 vehicles up to $5,000 if community; clothing, but furs, jewelry & ornaments limited to $1,000; household goods, furniture, appliances, home and yard equipment up to $2,700 ($5,400 for husband and wife); pictures and keepsakes; private libraries up to $1,500; food and fuel for comfortable maintenance; prescribed health aids; $2,000 of any other personal property, but not more than $200 of it in cash, bank deposits, stocks, bonds, or other securities; and personal injury awards up to $16,150.

6.15.030 - Fire insurance for lost, stolen or destroyed exempt property.

68.20.120 - Burial plots if sold by a nonprofit cemetery association.

68.24.220 - Burial plot.

Wages

6.27.150 - The greater of the following: 30 times the federal hourly minimum wage or minimum of 75% of disposable earnings. Judge may approve more for low income debtor.

Pensions

11 U.S.C. § 522 - Tax exempt retirement accounts; Traditional and Roth IRAs up to $1,095,000 per person.

2.10.180 - Judges.

6.15.020 - ERISA-qualified benefits, including IRAs and Keoghs.

41.24.240 - Volunteer firefighters.

41.26.053 - Law enforcement officials and firefighters.

41.28.200 - City employees.

41.32.052 - Teachers.

41.40.050 - Public employees and state employees.

43.43.310 - State patrol officers.

Public Benefits

7.68.070 - Crime victims' compensation.

50.40.020 - Unemployment compensation.

51.32.040 - Industrial insurance (workers' compensation).

74.04.280 - General assistance.

74.08.210 - Old-age assistance.

74.13.070 - Child welfare.

Tools of Trade

6.15.010 - Tools and materials used in any trade up to $5,000; library, office furniture, equipment and supplies of a physician, surgeon, attorney, clergyman or other professional up to $5,000; farm trucks, tools, equipment, supplies, stock and seed of a farmer up to $5,000. .

Alimony and Child Support

6.15.010 - Child support payments.

Insurance

48.36A.180 - Disability benefits, proceeds, dividends, interest, loan, cash, or surrender value.

48.18.410 - Life insurance proceeds, dividends, interest, loan, cash, or surrender value if the insured is not the beneficiary.

46.18.420 - Group life insurance policy or proceeds.

46.18.430 - Annuity contract proceeds up to $2,500 per month.

48.18.400 - Fraternal benefit society benefits.

Other - Add any applicable Federal Nonbankruptcy Exemptions

Free Bankruptcy Evaluation

Washington Bankruptcy Exemptions

Other Bankruptcy Exemptions