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Washington Exemption Notes

In 2023, Washington revised (RCW 6.15.010), effective July 23, 2023:

  • increased the wildcard exemption to $10,000
    RCW 6.15.010(1)(d)(ii)
  • the motor vehicle exemption from $3,250 to $15,000
    RCW 6.15.010(1)(d)(iv)
  • and the tools of trade exemption to $15,000
  • raised the jewelry exemption from $1,000 to 3,500

RCW 6.15.010(1)(d), each married person of a spousal community is now “entitled to his or her own exemptions in this subsection…”  In effect, this amendment doubles the personal property exemptions available to a marital community.

Exclusive to bankruptcy cases, RCW 6.15.010(1)(d)(viii) creates an unlimited exemption in personal injury proceeds: “In a bankruptcy case, the right to or proceeds of personal  injury of the debtor or an individual of whom the debtor is a dependent; or the right to or proceeds of a payment in compensation of loss of future earnings of the debtor or an individual of whom the debtor is or was a dependent are free of the enforcement of the claims of creditors, except to the extent such claims are for the satisfaction of any liens or subrogation claims arising out of the claims for personal injury or death.”

OPT OUT STATUS:

Can I use the §522(d) Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions in Washington?

Yes. Federal exemptions are available.

KEY EXEMPTIONS:

Homestead

Real property, manufactured home, or mobile home to the greater of  (a) $125,000; (b) The county median sale price of a single-family home in the preceding calendar year (the statewide average for 2020 was $452,400); $172,900 to $729,600, depending on county.

Motor Vehicle

Motor vehicles to $15,000 total

Wildcard

$10,000 of any personal property

Personal Property

Appliances, furniture, household goods, home & yard equipment to $6,500 total for individual ($13,000 for community)
Books & electronic media to $3,500
Burial ground
Clothing, no more than $3,500 in furs, jewelry, ornaments
Food & fuel for comfortable maintenance
Fire insurance proceeds for lost, stolen, or destroyed exempt property
Keepsakes & family pictures
Tools & materials used in any trade to $15,000

See Also:
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  • Homestead

  • Homestead [US] Real property, including co-op or mobile home, or burial plot to $27,900; unused portion of homestead to $13,950 may be applied to any property
  • Tenancy by Entirety

  • Tenancy by Entirety [US] Tenancy by entirety is exempt only if debtor chooses State & Non-bankruptcy exemptions.
  • Insurance — Life, Disability

  • Insurance — Life, Disability [US] Disability, illness, or unemployment benefits
  • Insurance — Life, Disability [US] Life insurance payments from policy for person you depended on, needed for support
  • Insurance — Life, Disability [US] Life insurance policy loan value, in accured dividends or interest, to $14,875
  • Insurance — Life, Disability [US] Unamtured life insurance contract, except credit insurance policy
  • Pensions & Retirement Savings

  • Pensions & Retirement Savings [US] All types of retirement funds and accounts that tax-exempt under IRC section 401, 403, 408, 408A, 414, 457, or 501(a) ; IRAs & Roth IRAs limited to $1,512,350 (excluding rollover contributions); limitation can be overidden by judge.
  • Personal Property

  • Personal Property [US] Animals, crops, clothing, appliances, books, furnishings, household goods, musical instruments to $700 per item, $14,875 total
  • Personal Property [US] Health aids
  • Personal Property [US] Jewelry to $1,875
  • Personal Property [US] Lost earnings payments
  • Personal Property [US] Motor vehicle to $4,450
  • Personal Property [US] Personal injury recoveries to $27,900 (not to include pain & suffering or pecuniary loss)
  • Personal Property [US] Wrongful death recoveries for person you depended on
  • Public Benefits

  • Public Benefits [US] Crime victims' compensation
  • Public Benefits [US] Social Security
  • Public Benefits [US] Unemployment compensation
  • Public Benefits [US] Veteran's benefits
  • Tools of Trade

  • Tools of Trade [US] Implements, books, & tools of trade to $2,800
  • Wages

  • Wages [US] None
  • Wild Card

  • Wild Card [US] $1,475 of any property
  • Wild Card [US] Up to $13,950 of unused homestead exemption amount, for any property.
  • Miscellaneous

  • Miscellaneous [US] Alimony, child support needed for support
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