Washington Bankruptcy Exemptions

On this page you can find all of the exemptions for Washington. Exemptions are the property that you can keep when you file bankruptcy.

CATEGORY
PROPERTY
AMOUNT
STATUTE
Homestead
Homestead consisting of house or mobile home in which owner resides, plus appurtenances & land, if any, on which situate
$15,000 for other personal property used as homestead $125,000 for lands, mobile homes & improvements
Wash. Rev. Code §6.13.030
Motor Vehicle
Motor vehicle used for personal transportation
$3,250 ($6,500 total for community)
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.15.010(1)(c)(iii)
Wages / Wage Garnishment
Earnings from work release
100%
Wash. Rev. Code § 72.65.060
Wages / Wage Garnishment
Disposable earnings (earnings less deductions required by law
75% OR 35 times the federal minimum hourly wage per week, WHICHEVER IS GREATER
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.27.150
Insurance
Annuity contract benefits
$3,000 per month
Wash. Rev. Code § 48.18.430
Insurance
Group life insurance proceeds
100%
Wash. Rev. Code § 48.18.420
Insurance
Proceeds & avails of life insurance policies wherein beneficiary is person other than the insured or the person effecting the policy
100%
Wash. Rev. Code § 48.18.410
Insurance
Disability insurance benefits
100%
Wash. Rev. Code § 48.18.400
Insurance
Fire insurance proceeds of policies covering exempt property
100% of exemption for covered property
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.15.030
Insurance
Personal injury awards
$20,000
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.15.010(1)(c)(vi)
Insurance
Fraternal Benefit Society benefits
100%
Wash. Rev. Code §48.36A.180
Personal Property
Personal or family burying grounds
100%
WASH. REV. CODE §§ 68.24.220, 68.20.120
Personal Property
Professionally prescribed health aids of debtor or dependents
100%
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.15.010(1)(c)(v)
Personal Property
Other personal property of debtor and family, except personal earnings
$3,000 with $1,500 limit on cash and $500 limit on bank accounts & securities
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.15.010(1)(c)(ii)
Personal Property
Household goods, appliances, furniture & home & yard equipment of debtor & family, including provisions & fuel
$6500 ($15,000 total for community)
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.15.010(1)(c)(i)
Personal Property
Family pictures & keepsakes
100%
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.15.010(1)(b)
Personal Property
All wearing apparel
no limit, except value of furs, jewelry & personal ornaments cannot exceed $3,500
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.15.010(1)(a)
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
Federal pension benefits
100% (except child support)
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.15.020(2)
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
Judges retirement benefits
100% (support claims excepted)
Wash. Rev. Code §§ 2.10.180, 2.12.090
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
Teachers retirement benefits
100% (support claims excepted)
Wash. Rev. Code § 41.32.052
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
State employees retirement benefits
100% (support claims excepted)
Wash. Rev. Code § 41.40.052
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
Police & Firemen's retirement benefits
100% (support claims excepted)
Wash. Rev. Code §§ 41.20.180, 41.24.240, 43.43.310, 41.26.053
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
City employees retirement benefits
100% (support claims excepted)
Wash. Rev. Code §§ 41.44.240, 41.28.200, 41.20.180
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
Debtor's right to retirement, disability or death benefits from employee benefit plan qualified under Internal Revenue Code
100% of qualified amounts (support claims & QDRO benefits excepted)
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.15.020(3)
Tools of the Trade
Farm trucks, stock, tools, equipment, supplies & seed of farmer
$10,000
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.15.010(1)(d)(i)
Tools of the Trade
Private library of debtor, including electronic media
$3,500
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.15.010(1)(b)
Tools of the Trade
Property issued to members of organized militia of Washington
100%
Wash. Rev. Code § 38.40.150
Tools of the Trade
Tools, instruments & materials used to carry on trade for support of debtor & family
$10,000
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.15.010(1)(d)(iii)
Tools of the Trade
Library & office furniture, equipment& supplies of physician, attorney, clergyman or other professional person
$10,000
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.15.010(1)(d)(ii)
Public Benefits
Crime victims’ compensation
100%
Wash. Rev. Code § 7.68.070, 51.32.040
Public Benefits
Public assistance grants & payments
100%
Wash. Rev. Code §§ 74.08.210, 74.13.070, 74.04.280
Public Benefits
Unemployment compensation benefits
100% (support claims excepted)
Wash. Rev. Code § 50.40.020
Public Benefits
Industrial insurance benefits & workmens' compensation
100%
Wash. Rev. Code § 51.32.040
Miscellaneous
Traceable child support paid or owed to debtor
100%
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.15.010(1)(c)(iv)
Miscellaneous
Building materials used to improve property subject to lien from 60.04 RCW
100%
Wash. Rev. Code § 60.04.201
Miscellaneous
Separate property of nondebtor spouse
100% (but see statutes for exceptions)
Wash. Rev. Code §§ 26.16.200, 6.15.040
Miscellaneous
Property of incompetent
100%
Wash. Rev. Code § 11.92.060(3)
Miscellaneous
Specific partnership property
100% of partner's interest
Wash. Rev. Code § 25.05.200
Miscellaneous
Income or proceeds from trust for benefit of debtor created & funded by another person
100%
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.32.250
Tuition Savings Account
Tuition units under chapter 28B.95 RCW, purchased more than 2 yrs prior to filing, or contributions to qualified tuition savings programs under §529 or 530 of the IRC made more than 2 yrs prior to filing
100%
Wash. Rev. Code § 6.15.010(1)(e)

If you want to learn more about filing bankruptcy in Washington please visit our FAQ Page or for more information about Washington you can visit the Washington section.