A debtor in Washington is generally entitled to certain statutory exemptions under state laws or federal laws, or both for the purpose of judgment enforcement or in a bankruptcy proceeding. Under the laws of Washington, a homestead consists of real or personal
property that the owner uses as a residence. The homestead exemption amount generally may not exceed the lesser of (1) the total net value of the lands, mobile home, improvements, and other personal property, as described in RCW 6.13.010, or (2) the sum of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00) in the case of lands, mobile home, and improvements, or the sum of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00) in the case of other personal property described in RCW 6.13.010.
Personal property which may be exempt from execution, attachment, and garnishment may include:
- wearing apparel of every individual and family, but not to exceed $1,000.00 in value in furs
- jewelry and personal ornaments for any individual
- private libraries of every individual not to exceed $1,500.00 in agregate value,
- all family pictures and keepsakes
- household goods
- appliances
- furniture
- home and yard equipment
- cash or bank accounts in an amount not to exceed $100.00
- two motor vehicles
- farmer's equipment and tools not to exceed $5,000.00 in value
- tools of trade in an amount not to exceed $5,000.00 in value
- professional library.office furniture.office equipment and supplies not to exceed $5,000.00 in value
Some other personal property exemption may include certain retirement plan benefits, insurance proceeds, public assistance and unemployment benefits.
In a bankruptcy proceeding, personal property exemptions may not be claimed by one spouse that is not a joint case or a joint administration of the estate with the bankruptcy estate of the other spouse where (a) bankruptcy is filed by both spouses within a six-month period, and (b) one spouse exempts property from property of the estate under the bankruptcy exemption provisions of
11 U.S.C. Sec. 522(d).
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