RCW 6.15.010
Exempt property.
(1) Except as provided in RCW 6.15.050, the following personal property is exempt from execution, attachment, and garnishment:
(a) All wearing apparel of every individual and family, but not to exceed $3,500 in value in furs, jewelry, and personal ornaments for any individual.
(b) All private libraries including electronic media, which includes audiovisual, entertainment, or reference media in digital or analogue format, of every individual, but not to exceed $3,500 in value, and all family pictures and keepsakes.
(c) A cell phone, personal computer, and printer.
(d) To each individual or, as to community property of spouses maintaining a single household as against a creditor of the community, to the community, provided that each spouse is entitled to his or her own exemptions in this subsection (1)(d):
(i) All household goods, appliances, furniture, and home and yard equipment, not to exceed $6,500 in value for the individual, said amount to include provisions and fuel for comfortable maintenance;
(ii) In a bankruptcy case, any other personal property, except personal earnings as provided under RCW 6.15.050
(1), not to exceed $10,000 in value. The value shall be determined as of the date the bankruptcy petition is filed;
(iii)(A) Other than in a bankruptcy case as described in (d)(ii) of this subsection, other personal property, except personal earnings as provided under RCW 6.15.050
(1), not to exceed $3,000 in value, of which not more than:
(I) For all debts except private student loan debt and consumer debt, $500 in value may consist of bank accounts, savings and loan accounts, stocks, bonds, or other securities. The maximum exemption under this subsection (1)(d)(iii)(A)(I) shall be automatically protected and may not exceed $500, regardless of the number of existing separate bank accounts, savings and loan accounts, stocks, bonds, or other securities.
(II) For all private student loan debt, $2,500 in value may consist of bank accounts, savings and loan accounts, stocks, bonds, or other securities. $1,000 in value shall be automatically protected. The maximum exemption under this subsection (1)(d)(iii)(A)(II) may not exceed $2,500, regardless of the number of existing separate bank accounts, savings and loan accounts, stocks, bonds, or other securities.
(III) For all consumer debt, $2,000 in value may consist of bank accounts, savings and loan accounts, stocks, bonds, or other securities. The maximum exemption under this subsection (1)(d)(iii)(A)(III) shall be automatically protected and may not exceed $2,000, regardless of the number of existing separate bank accounts, savings and loan accounts, stocks, bonds, or other securities.
(B) Beginning July 1, 2027, the dollar amounts in this subsection (1)(d)(iii) shall be adjusted and published every three years by the department of revenue to:
(I) Reflect the change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers, published by the United States department of labor, for the most recent three-year period; and
(II) Round to the nearest $25 the dollar amount that represents such change;
(iv) A motor vehicle not to exceed $15,000 in aggregate value;
(v) Any past due, current, or future child support, alimony, or spousal support paid or owed to the debtor, which can be traced;
(vi) All professionally prescribed health aids for the debtor or a dependent of the debtor;
(vii) To any individual, the right to or proceeds of a payment not to exceed twenty thousand dollars on account of personal bodily injury, not including pain and suffering or compensation for actual pecuniary loss, 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, to the extent reasonably necessary for the support of the debtor and any dependent of the debtor; and
(viii) 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. The exemption under this subsection (1)(d)(viii) does not apply to the right of the state of Washington, or any agent or assignee of the state, as a lienholder or subrogee under RCW 43.20B.060
.
(e) To any individual, the tools, instruments, materials, and supplies used to carry on his or her trade not to exceed $15,000 in value.
(f) Tuition units, under chapter
28B.95
RCW, purchased more than two years prior to the date of a bankruptcy filing or court judgment, and contributions to any other qualified tuition program under 26 U.S.C. Sec. 529 of the internal revenue code of 1986, as amended, and to a Coverdell education savings account, also known as an education individual retirement account, under 26 U.S.C. Sec. 530 of the internal revenue code of 1986, as amended, contributed more than two years prior to the date of a bankruptcy filing or court judgment.
(2) For purposes of this section, "value" means the reasonable market value of the debtor's interest in an article or item at the time it is selected for exemption, exclusive of all liens and encumbrances thereon.
(3) In the case of married persons, each spouse is entitled to the exemptions provided in this section, which may be combined with the other spouse's exemption in the same property or taken in different exempt property.
[
2025 c 391 s 1
;
2023 c 393 s 2
;
2023 c 393 s 1
;
2021 c 50 s 2
;
2019 c 371 s 3
;
2018 c 199 s 203
;
2012 c 117 s 2
;
2011 c 162 s 2
;
2005 c 272 s 6
;
2002 c 265 s 1
;
1991 c 112 s 1
;
1988 c 231 s 5
;
1987 c 442 s 301
;
1983 1st ex.s. c 45 s 8
;
1979 ex.s. c 65 s 1
;
1973 1st ex.s. c 154 s 13
;
1965 c 89 s 1
;
1886 p 96 s 1
; Code 1881 s 347;
1879 p 157 s 1
;
1877 p 73 s 351
;
1869 p 87 s 343
;
1854 p 178 s 253
; RRS s 563. Formerly RCW 6.16.020
.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
This section was amended by 2023 c 393 s 2 and by 2025 c 391 s 1, each without reference to the other, but resulting in identical text and periods of effectiveness. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025
(2).
Effective date
—
2025 c 391:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2025." [
2025 c 391 s 6
.]
Effective date
—
2023 c 393 s 2:
"Section 2 of this act takes effect July 1, 2025." [
2023 c 393 s 7
.]
Findings
—
Intent
—
2021 c 50:
"The legislature has previously recognized that garnishees have no responsibility for the situation leading to the garnishment of a debtor's wages, funds, or other property, but that the garnishment process is necessary for the enforcement of obligations. The legislature has further recognized the importance of reducing or offsetting the administrative burden on the garnishee to the extent that that can be accomplished consistent with the goal of effectively enforcing debtors' unpaid obligations. At the same time, debtors must be afforded the exemptions to which they are statutorily entitled and protected from garnishments that violate Washington law.
By establishing automatic exemption amounts and specifying when and how much a garnishee bank is required to hold and release, the legislature intends to ease the burden on garnishees while protecting debtors from situations in which the entirety of their bank accounts are frozen before they have any opportunity to assert certain rightful exemptions." [
2021 c 50 s 1
.]
Findings
—
Intent
—
Short title
—
2018 c 199:
See notes following RCW 67.08.100
.
Severability
—
1988 c 231:
See note following RCW 6.01.050
.
Severability
—
1973 1st ex.s. c 154:
See note following RCW 2.12.030
.
RCW 6.15.020
Pension money exempt
—
Exceptions
—
Transfer of spouse's interest in employee benefit plan.
(1) It is the policy of the state of Washington to ensure the well-being of its citizens by protecting retirement income to which they are or may become entitled. For that purpose generally and pursuant to the authority granted to the state of Washington under 11 U.S.C. Sec. 522(b)(2), the exemptions in this section relating to retirement benefits are provided.
(2) Unless otherwise provided by federal law, any money received by any citizen of the state of Washington as a pension from the government of the United States, whether the same be in the actual possession of such person or be deposited or loaned, shall be exempt from execution, attachment, garnishment, or seizure by or under any legal process whatever, and when a debtor dies, or absconds, and leaves his or her family any money exempted by this subsection, the same shall be exempt to the family as provided in this subsection. This subsection shall not apply to child support collection actions issued under chapter
26.18, 26.23, or
74.20A
RCW, if otherwise permitted by federal law.
(3) The right of a person to a pension, annuity, or retirement allowance or disability allowance, or death benefits, or any optional benefit, or any other right accrued or accruing to any citizen of the state of Washington under any employee benefit plan, and any fund created by such a plan or arrangement, shall be exempt from execution, attachment, garnishment, or seizure by or under any legal process whatever. This subsection shall not apply to child support collection actions issued under chapter
26.18, 26.23, or
74.20A
RCW if otherwise permitted by federal law. This subsection shall permit benefits under any such plan or arrangement to be payable to a spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of a participant in such plan to the extent expressly provided for in a qualified domestic relations order that meets the requirements for such orders under the plan, or, in the case of benefits payable under a plan described in 26 U.S.C. Sec. 403(b) or 408 of the internal revenue code of 1986, as amended, or section 409 of such code as in effect before January 1, 1984, to the extent provided in any order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction that provides for maintenance or support. This subsection does not prohibit actions against an employee benefit plan, or fund for valid obligations incurred by the plan or fund for the benefit of the plan or fund.
(4) For the purposes of this section, the term "employee benefit plan" means any plan or arrangement that is described in RCW 49.64.020, including any Keogh plan, whether funded by a trust or by an annuity contract, and in 26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a) or 403(a) of the internal revenue code of 1986, as amended; or that is a tax-sheltered annuity or a custodial account described in section 403(b) of such code or an individual retirement account or an individual retirement annuity described in section 408 of such code; or a Roth individual retirement account described in section 408A of such code; or a medical savings account or a health savings account described in sections 220 and 223, respectively, of such code; or a retirement bond described in section 409 of such code as in effect before January 1, 1984. The term "employee benefit plan" shall not include any employee benefit plan that is established or maintained for its employees by the government of the United States, by the state of Washington under chapter
2.10, 2.12, 41.26, 41.32, 41.34, 41.35, 41.37, 41.40, or
43.43
RCW or RCW 41.50.770, or by any agency or instrumentality of the government of the United States.
(5) An employee benefit plan shall be deemed to be a spendthrift trust, regardless of the source of funds, the relationship between the trustee or custodian of the plan and the beneficiary, or the ability of the debtor to withdraw or borrow or otherwise become entitled to benefits from the plan before retirement. This subsection shall not apply to child support collection actions issued under chapter
26.18, 26.23, or
74.20A
RCW, if otherwise permitted by federal law. This subsection shall permit benefits under any such plan or arrangement to be payable to a spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of a participant in such plan to the extent expressly provided for in a qualified domestic relations order that meets the requirements for such orders under the plan, or, in the case of benefits payable under a plan described in 26 U.S.C. Sec. 403(b) or 408 of the internal revenue code of 1986, as amended, or section 409 of such code as in effect before January 1, 1984, to the extent provided in any order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction that provides for maintenance or support.
(6) Unless prohibited by federal law, nothing contained in subsection (3), (4), or (5) of this section shall be construed as a termination or limitation of a spouse's community property interest in an employee benefit plan held in the name of or on account of the other spouse, who is the participant or the account holder spouse. Unless prohibited by applicable federal law, at the death of the nonparticipant, nonaccount holder spouse, the nonparticipant, nonaccount holder spouse may transfer or distribute the community property interest of the nonparticipant, nonaccount holder spouse in the participant or account holder spouse's employee benefit plan to the nonparticipant, nonaccount holder spouse's estate, testamentary trust, inter vivos trust, or other successor or successors pursuant to the last will of the nonparticipant, nonaccount holder spouse or the law of intestate succession, and that distributee may, but shall not be required to, obtain an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, including a nonjudicial binding agreement or order entered under chapter
11.96A
RCW, to confirm the distribution. For purposes of subsection (3) of this section, the distributee of the nonparticipant, nonaccount holder spouse's community property interest in an employee benefit plan shall be considered a person entitled to the full protection of subsection (3) of this section. The nonparticipant, nonaccount holder spouse's consent to a beneficiary designation by the participant or account holder spouse with respect to an employee benefit plan shall not, absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, be deemed a release, gift, relinquishment, termination, limitation, or transfer of the nonparticipant, nonaccount holder spouse's community property interest in an employee benefit plan. For purposes of this subsection, the term "nonparticipant, nonaccount holder spouse" means the spouse of the person who is a participant in an employee benefit plan or in whose name an individual retirement account is maintained. As used in this subsection, an order of a court of competent jurisdiction entered under chapter
11.96A
RCW includes an agreement, as that term is used under RCW 11.96A.220
.
[
2011 c 162 s 3
;
2007 c 492 s 1
. Prior:
1999 c 81 s 1
;
1999 c 42 s 603
;
1997 c 20 s 1
;
1990 c 237 s 1
;
1989 c 360 s 21
;
1988 c 231 s 6
; prior:
1987 c 64 s 1
;
1890 p 88 s 1
; RRS s 566. Formerly RCW 6.16.030
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
1999 c 42:
See RCW 11.96A.902
.
Severability
—
1990 c 237:
"If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [
1990 c 237 s 2
.]
Severability
—
1988 c 231:
See note following RCW 6.01.050
.
RCW 6.15.025
Exemption of pension or retirement plan benefits from execution for judgment for out-of-state income tax.
Where a judgment is in favor of any state for failure to pay that state's income tax on benefits received while a resident of the state of Washington from a pension or other retirement plan, all property in this state, real or personal, tangible or intangible, of a judgment debtor shall be exempt from execution, attachment, garnishment, or seizure by or under any legal process whatever, and when a debtor dies, or absconds, and leaves his or her spouse and dependents any property exempted by this section, the same shall be exempt to the surviving spouse and dependents.
[
1991 c 123 s 3
.]
NOTES:
Purpose
—
1991 c 123:
See note following RCW 6.13.030
.
RCW 6.15.030
Insurance money on exempt property exempt.
If property, which by the laws of this state is exempt from execution, attachment, or garnishment, is insured and the same is lost, stolen, or destroyed, then the insurance money coming to or belonging to the person thus insured, to an amount equal to the exempt property thus destroyed, shall be exempt from execution, attachment, and garnishment.
[
1987 c 442 s 303
;
1895 c 76 s 1
; RRS s 568. Formerly RCW 6.16.050
.]
RCW 6.15.040
Separate property of spouse exempt.
All real and personal property belonging to any married person at the time of his or her marriage, and all which he or she may have acquired subsequently to such marriage, or to which he or she shall hereafter become entitled in his or her own right, and all his or her personal earnings, and all the issues, rents and profits of such real property, shall be exempt from execution, attachment, and garnishment upon any liability or judgment against the other spouse, so long as he or she or any minor heir of his or her body shall be living: PROVIDED, That the separate property of each spouse shall be liable for debts owing by him or her at the time of marriage.
[
1987 c 442 s 304
;
1973 1st ex.s. c 154 s 14
; Code 1881 s 341;
1877 p 71 s 345
;
1869 p 85 s 337
;
1854 p 178 s 252
; RRS s 570. Formerly RCW 6.16.070
.]
NOTES:
Severability
—
1973 1st ex.s. c 154:
See note following RCW 2.12.030
.
Exemption of nonobligated spouse or domestic partner's earnings from satisfaction of other spouse or domestic partner's child support obligations: RCW 26.16.200
.
RCW 6.15.050
Exemptions under RCW 6.15.010
—
Limitations on exemptions.
(1) Wages, salary, or other compensation regularly paid for personal services rendered by the debtor claiming the exemption shall not be claimed as exempt under RCW 6.15.010, but the same may be claimed as exempt in any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding to the same extent as allowed under the statutes relating to garnishments.
(2) No property may be exempt under RCW 6.15.010
from execution, attachment, or garnishment issued upon a judgment for all or any part of the purchase price of the property.
(3) No property may be exempt under RCW 6.15.010
from legal process issued upon a judgment for restitution ordered by a court to be paid for the benefit of a victim of a criminal act.
(4) No property may be exempt under RCW 6.15.010
from legal process issued upon a judgment for any tax levied upon such property.
(5) Nothing in this chapter shall be so construed as to prevent a debtor from creating a security interest in personal property which might be claimed as exempt, or the enforcement of such security interest against the property.
(6) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to exempt personal property of a nonresident of this state or of an individual who has left or is about to leave this state with the intention to defraud his or her creditors.
(7) Personal property exemptions are waived by failure to claim them prior to sale of exemptible property under execution or, in a garnishment proceeding, within the time specified in RCW 6.27.160
.
(8) Personal property exemptions may not be claimed by one spouse in a bankruptcy case 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).
(9) No property may be exempt under RCW 6.15.010
from execution, levy, attachment, or garnishment issued by or on behalf of a child support, alimony, or spousal support agency operating under Title IV-D of the federal social security act or by or on behalf of any agent or assignee of the child support, alimony, or spousal support agency.
[
2025 c 391 s 2
;
2002 c 265 s 2
;
1987 c 442 s 305
;
1981 c 149 s 2
;
1927 c 136 s 1
; Code 1881 s 348;
1877 p 74 s 352
;
1869 p 88 s 344
; RRS s 571. Formerly RCW 6.16.080
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2025 c 391:
See note following RCW 6.15.010
.
RCW 6.15.060
Manner of claiming exemptions
—
Appraisement
—
Appraiser's fee.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, property claimed exempt under RCW 6.15.010
shall be selected by the individual entitled to the exemption, or by the husband or wife entitled to a community exemption, in the manner described in subsection (3) of this section.
(2) If, at the time of seizure under execution or attachment of property exemptible under RCW 6.15.010
(1)(d) (i) and (iii), the individual or the husband or wife entitled to claim the exemption is not present, then the sheriff or deputy shall make a selection equal in value to the applicable exemptions and, if no appraisement is required and no objection is made by the creditor as permitted under subsection (4) of this section, the officer shall return the same as exempt by inventory. Any selection made as provided shall be prima facie evidence (a) that the property so selected is exempt from execution and attachment, and (b) that the property so selected is not in excess of the values specified for the exemptions.
(3)(a) A debtor who claims personal property as exempt against execution or attachment shall, at any time before sale, deliver to the officer making the levy a list by separate items of the property claimed as exempt, together with an itemized list of all the personal property owned or claimed by the debtor, including money, bonds, bills, notes, claims and demands, with the residence of the person indebted upon the said bonds, bills, notes, claims and demands, and shall verify such list by affidavit. The officer shall immediately advise the creditor, attorney, or agent of the exemption claim and, if no appraisement is required and no objection is made by the creditor as permitted under subsection (4) of this section, the officer shall return with the process the list of property claimed as exempt.
(b) A debtor who claims personal property exempt against garnishment shall proceed as provided in RCW 6.27.160
.
(c) A debtor who claims as a homestead, under chapter
6.13
RCW, a mobile home that is not yet occupied as a homestead and that is located on land not owned by the debtor shall claim the homestead as against a specific levy by delivering to the sheriff who levied on the mobile home, before sale under the levy, a declaration of homestead that contains (i) a declaration that the debtor owns the mobile home, intends to reside therein, and claims it as a homestead, and (ii) a description of the mobile home, a statement where it is located or was located before the levy, and an estimate of its actual cash value.
(d) A debtor who claims as a homestead, under RCW 6.13.040, any other personal property, shall at any time before sale, deliver to the officer making the levy a notice of claim of homestead in a statement that sets forth the following: (i) The debtor owns the personal property; (ii) the debtor resides thereon as a homestead; (iii) the debtor's estimate of the fair market value of the property; and (iv) the debtor's description of the property in sufficient detail for the officer making the levy to identify the same.
(4)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, a creditor, or the agent or attorney of a creditor, who wishes to object to a claim of exemption shall proceed as provided in RCW 6.27.160
and shall give notice of the objection to the officer not later than seven days after the officer's giving notice of the exemption claim.
(b) A creditor, or the agent or attorney of the creditor, who wishes to object to a claim of exemption made to a levying officer, on the ground that the property claimed exceeds exemptible value, may demand appraisement. If the creditor, or the agent or attorney of the creditor, demands an appraisement, two disinterested persons shall be chosen to appraise the property, one by the debtor and the other by the creditor, agent or attorney, and these two, if they cannot agree, shall select a third; but if either party fails to choose an appraiser, or the two fail to select a third, or if one or more of the appraisers fail to act, the court shall appoint one or more as the circumstances require. The appraisers shall forthwith proceed to make a list by separate items, of the personal property selected by the debtor as exempt, which they shall decide as exempt, stating the value of each article, and annexing to the list their affidavit to the following effect: "We solemnly swear that to the best of our judgment the above is a fair cash valuation of the property therein described," which affidavit shall be signed by two appraisers at least, and be certified by the officer administering the oaths. The list shall be delivered to the officer holding the execution or attachment and be annexed to and made part of the return, and the property therein specified shall be exempt from levy and sale, but the other personal estate of the debtor shall remain subject to execution, attachment, or garnishment. Each appraiser shall be entitled to fifteen dollars or such larger fee as shall be fixed by the court, to be paid by the creditor if all the property claimed by the debtor shall be exempt; otherwise to be paid by the debtor.
(c) If, within seven days following the giving of notice to a creditor of an exemption claim, the officer has received no notice from the creditor of an objection to the claim or a demand for appraisement, the officer shall release the claimed property to the debtor.
[
2025 c 58 s 2001
;
1993 c 200 s 5
;
1988 c 231 s 7
;
1987 c 442 s 306
;
1973 1st ex.s. c 154 s 15
; Code 1881 s 349;
1877 p 74 s 353
;
1869 p 88 s 346
; RRS s 572. Formerly RCW 6.16.090
.]
NOTES:
Explanatory note
—
2025 c 58:
See note following RCW 1.16.050
.
Severability
—
1988 c 231:
See note following RCW 6.01.050
.
Severability
—
1973 1st ex.s. c 154:
See note following RCW 2.12.030
.
RCW 6.15.070
Procedure if value of property claimed exempt exceeds exemptible value.
If from an appraisal it appears that the value of the property claimed exempt, exclusive of liens and encumbrances, exceeds the exemptible value and the property is indivisible, the property shall be put up for sale on execution, but at the sale no bid may be received unless it exceeds the exempt value. The proceeds of a sale in excess of the exempt value shall be paid, first, to the debtor to the extent of the exempt amount; second, up to the amount of the execution, to the satisfaction of the execution; third, the balance to be paid to the debtor. A judgment creditor who is the successful bidder at the sale must pay the exempt amount in cash.
[
1987 c 442 s 307
.]
RCW 6.15.900
Construction
—
Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships
—
2009 c 521.
For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.
[
2009 c 521 s 13
.]