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Washington Homestead Exemption
Almost every state provides protection for equity in the family home, and many states have increased the amount of protection in recent years. Seven states offer unlimited protection. Most states are not as generous.
Federal Law Residency Requirement
Under the 2005 bankruptcy law, you must be have lived in the state for at least 40 months (three years and four months) before you can claim any homestead protection greater than $160,375. (If your state's exemption offers less than this amount, the law is irrelevant to you.) .
Washington Exemptions
- WA Exemptions
- Must record homestead declaration before sale of home if property unimproved or home unoccupied
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.13.040
- Real property, manufactured home, or mobile home to $125,000; unimproved property intended for residence to $15,000 (husband and wife may not double)
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.13.010 (defined)
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.13.030 (dollar limits)
Federal Exemptions
- Indian lands or homestead sales or lease proceeds
25 U.S.C. § 410 - Real property, including co-op or mobile home, or burial plot to $25,150; unused portion of homestead to $12,575 may be applied to any property
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(1), (d)(5)
Home Valuation tool
Just add your street address to get an estimate of the value of your house, and all others in your neighborhood. (Note: Does not serve all areas, and valuations are imperfect estimates only.)
^ Top - Washington Bankruptcy Exemptions
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Washington Insurance exemptions
Virtually all states protect life insurance proceeds in some manner or another. Some restrict it to proceeds paid to a dependent. Many states also protect the cash-value or loan-value of insurance policies.
If a substantial amount of your assets are in life insurance, you may want to consult a professional to determine the extent to which those policies are exempt.
Washington Exemptions
- Annuity contract proceeds to $3,000 per month
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 48.18.430
- Disability proceeds, avails, or benefits
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 48.18.400
- Fraternal Benefit Society Benefits
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 48.36A.180
- Group life insurance policy or proceeds
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 48.18.420
- Life insurance proceeds or avails if beneficiary is not the insured
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 48.18.410
Federal Exemptions
- Disability, illness, or unemployment benefits
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(10)(C)
- Federal government employee death & disability benefits
5 U.S.C. § 8130
- Federal judges, U.S. court & judicial center directors, administrative assistants to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice
28 U.S.C. § 376
- Federal war risk, hazard, death, or injury compensation, death & disability benefits
42 U.S.C. § 916
- Life insurance payments from policy for person you depended on, needed for support
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(11)(C)
- Life insurance policy loan value, in accured dividends or interest, to $13,400
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(8)
- Lighthouse workers survivors' benefits
33 U.S.C. § 775
- Longshoremen & harbor workers death & disability benefits
33 U.S.C. § 916
- Military group life insurance
38 U.S.C. § 1970 (g)
- U.S. Military service survivors' benefits
10 U.S.C. § 1450
- Unamtured life insurance contract, except credit insurance policy
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(7)
^ Top - Washington Bankruptcy Exemptions
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Miscellaneous other exemptions for Washington
Washington Exemptions
- Child support payments
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.15.010 (1)(c)(iv)
- Separate property of non-debtor spouse
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 26.16.200
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.15.040
Federal Exemptions
- Alimony, child support needed for support
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(10)(D)
^ Top - Washington Bankruptcy Exemptions
Homestead |
Insurance | Misc |
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Public Benefits |
Tools of Trade |
Wages |
Wild Card |
- AL
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Washington Pensions & Retirement Savings Exemptions
The new federal bankruptcy law now automatically exempts a virtually all tax-exempt pensions and retirement savings accounts from bankruptcy, even if you are using state law all_law_table_items. 11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(3)(C). (See Help Topic: Special Rules For Retirement Accounts.)
The law protects up to $1,283,025 of any pension or retirement fund that qualifies forspecial tax treatment under Internal Revenue Code sections 401,402, 403, 408, 408A, 414, 457, or 501(a).
Federal Exemptions
- 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 $1,362,800 (excluding rollover contributions); limitation can be overidden by judge.
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(12)
11 U.S.C. § 522 (n)
- Federal civil service employees
5 U.S.C. § 8346
- Foreign Service Employees
22 U.S.C. § 4060
- Military Medal of Honor roll pensions
38 U.S.C. § 1562 (c)
- Military service employees
10 U.S.C. § 1440
- Railroad workers
45 U.S.C. § 231m
- Social Security
42 U.S.C. § 407
- U.S. veterans' benefits
38 U.S.C. § 3501
Washington Exemptions
- City employees
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 41.28.200
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 41.44.240
- ERISA-qualified benefits, IRAs, & Keoghs
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.15.020
- Judges
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 2.10.180
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 2.12.090
- Law enforcement officials & firefighters
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 41.26.053
- Police officers
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 41.20.180
- Public & state employees
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 41.40.052
- State patrol officers
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 43.43.310
- Teachers
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 41.32.052
- Volunteer firefighters
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 41.24.240
^ Top - Washington Bankruptcy Exemptions
Homestead |
Insurance | Misc |
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Public Benefits |
Tools of Trade |
Wages |
Wild Card |
- AL
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Washington Personal Property Exemptions
This category covers your car, your non-retirement bank accounts, and most of your other personal possessions, other than your house.
States vary widely on how generous they are in this area. Some exemptions may be for any combination of property up to an aggregate amount. Other exemptions apply only to specific items, such as jewelry.
Remember that an exemption will not protect your car from being repossessed by the holder of the car loan you used to purchase the vehicle if you pledged the vehicle as security for the loan. To keep the car, you will have to pursue other options such as 'redemption' or 'reaffirmation.' See the help topics and How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy for more on this.
Washington Exemptions
- Appliances, furniture, household goods, home & yard equipment to $6,500 total for individual ($13,000 for community) per-item limit of $750.
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.15.010 (1)(c)(i)
- Books & electronic media to $3,500
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.15.010 (1)(b)
- Burial ground
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 68.24.220
- Burial plots sold by nonprofit cemetery association
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 68.20.120
- Clothing, no more than $3,500 in furs, jewelry, ornaments
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.15.010 (1)(a)
- Fire insurance proceeds for lost, stolen, or destroyed exempt property
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.15.030
- Food & fuel for comfortable maintenance
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.15.010 (1)(c)(i)
- Health aids prescribed
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.15.010 (1)(c)(v)
- Keepsakes & family pictures
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.15.010 (2)
- Motor vehicle to $3,250 total for individual (two vehicles to $6,500 for community)
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.15.010 (1)(c)(iii)
- Personal injury recoveries to $20,000
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.15.010 (1)(c)(vi)
- Spendthrift trusts
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.32.250
Erickson v. Bank of California, 643 P2d 670 (1982 )
In re Finley, 286 B.R 163 (2002 )
- Tuition credits under state law, or IRS-qualified (529, 530) tuition savings plans
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.15.010 (1)(e)
Federal Exemptions
- Animals, crops, clothing, appliances, books, furnishings, household goods, musical instruments to $625 per item, $13,400 total
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(3)
- Health aids
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(9)
- Jewelry to $1,700
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(4)
- Lost earnings payments
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(11)(E)
- Military deposits in savings accounts while on permanent duty outside the U.S.
10 U.S.C. § 1035
- Motor vehicle to $4,000
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(2)
- Personal injury recoveries to $25,150 (not to include pain & suffering or pecuniary loss)
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(11)(D)
- Wrongful death recoveries for person you depended on
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(11)(B)
Auto Valuation Tools:
Both of these websites offer interactive tools to determine the current value of your used car.
^ Top - Washington Bankruptcy Exemptions
Homestead |
Insurance | Misc |
Pensions |
Personal Property |
Public Benefits |
Tools of Trade |
Wages |
Wild Card |
- AL
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Washington Public Benefits Exemptions
Most states exempt public benefits, consistent with the notion that such benefits are intended as a safety net for the recipient.
Washington Exemptions
- Child welfare
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 74.13.070
- Crime victims' compensation
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 7.68.070 (10)
- General assistance
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 74.04.280
- Industrial insurance (workers' compensation)
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 51.32.040
- Old-age assistance
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 74.08.210
- Unemployment compensation
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 50.40.020
Federal Exemptions
- Crime victims' compensation
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(11)(A)
- Local public assistance
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(10)(A)
In re Goertz, 202 B.R. 614 (Bankr.S.D.Mo. 1996)
- Social Security
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(10)(A)
- Unemployment compensation
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(10)(A)
- Veteran's benefits
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(10)(A)
^ Top - Washington Bankruptcy Exemptions
Homestead |
Insurance | Misc |
Pensions |
Personal Property |
Public Benefits |
Tools of Trade |
Wages |
Wild Card |
- AL
- AK
- AZ
- AR
- CA
- CO
- CT
- DE
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- FL
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- HI
- ID
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- IA
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- LA
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- MD
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- VA
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Washington Tools of Trade Exemptions
These are the things you use to make a living. An automobile or truck can be a tool of trade if you use it as such. Commuting to work doesn't count, but if driving is a necessary component of transacting your business, you can claim your vehicle is a tool of trade.
Washington Exemptions
- Farmer's trucks, stock, tools, seed, equipment, & supplies to $10,000 total
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.15.010 (1)(d)(i)
- Library, office furniture, office equipment, & supplies of physician, surgeon, attorney, clergy, or other professional to $10,000 total
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.15.010 (1)(d)(ii)
- Tools & materials used in any other trade to $10,000
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.15.010 (1)(d)(iii)
Federal Exemptions
- Implements, books, & tools of trade to $2,525
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(6)
^ Top - Washington Bankruptcy Exemptions
Homestead |
Insurance | Misc |
Pensions |
Personal Property |
Public Benefits |
Tools of Trade |
Wages |
Wild Card |
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Washington Wage Garnishment Laws
Most states have a wage garnishment law. In some states, wage garnishment laws can be used in bankruptcy as an exemption to protect income that you had coming due, but not yet received, as of the day you filed, for work you had already done -- so called "earned but unpaid wages".
In some states, the wage garnishment law protects not only wages owed to you, but also wages already in your possession and saved over time preferably holding it in a separate bank account. In other states wage garnishment laws do not protect wages once they are they are in your possession.
Washington Exemptions
- Earnings of work release prisoners
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 72.65.060
- Minimum 75% of weekly disposable earnings or 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage, whichever is greater; bankruptcy judge may authorize more for low-income debtors
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.27.150
Federal Exemptions
- Minimum 75% of disposable weekly earnings or 30 times the federal hourly wage, whichever is more; bankruptcy judge may authorize more for low-income debtors. NOTE: Declared not a bankruptcy exemption by numerous Federal courts
15 U.S.C. § 1673
- None
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)
^ Top - Washington Bankruptcy Exemptions
Homestead |
Insurance | Misc |
Pensions |
Personal Property |
Public Benefits |
Tools of Trade |
Wages |
Wild Card |
- AL
- AK
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- AR
- CA
- CO
- CT
- DE
- DC
- FL
- GA
- HI
- ID
- IL
- IN
- IA
- KS
- KY
- LA
- ME
- MD
- MA
- MI
- MN
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- MO
- MT
- NE
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Washington Wild Card Exemption
Most, but not all, states allow a so-called "wild-card" exemption that can apply to any property. The wild card exemption can be of particular help if one or more of your other exemptions falls short of protecting your equity. You may split your wild card exemption amount over multiple items and stack it atop other exemptions as needed to protect exposed equity.
Washington Exemptions
- $3,000 of any personal property (no more than $1,500 in cash, $2000 bank deposits, bonds, stocks, & securities/$200 limit if debt owed to state agency)
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.15.010 (1)(c)(ii)
Federal Exemptions
- $1,325 of any property
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(5)
- Up to $12,575 of unused homestead exemption amount, for any property.
11 U.S.C. § 522 (d)(5)