Learn how Washington's bankruptcy exemptions protect your home, car, personal property, and more.
Table of Contents
- How Do Bankruptcy Exemptions Work?
- How Do I Use Washington Exemptions to Protect Property?
- Will Washington Bankruptcy Exemptions Protect My Property?
- What Are Commonly Used Bankruptcy Exemptions in Washington?
- How Do I Find Washington's Bankruptcy Exemptions?
- How Do Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions Compare to Washington's Exemptions?
- What Happens to Property I Can't Exempt in a Washington Bankruptcy?
- What Are the Differences Between Chapters 7 and 13 Bankruptcy?
- How Long Does it Take to File for Bankruptcy in Washington?
- How Long Do I Have to Live in Washington Before I Can Use Its Bankruptcy Exemptions?
- How Can I Avoid Bankruptcy Exemption Problems in Washington?
- What Will Happen If I Make an Exemption Mistake in Washington?
- Should I Hire a Lawyer to Help With Bankruptcy Exemptions in Washington?
- How Much Does It Cost to File for Bankruptcy in Washington?
- Can I Make Payments to My Bankruptcy Lawyer?
- Need More Bankruptcy Info?
Washington bankruptcy exemptions protect your property in bankruptcy, and becoming familiar with bankruptcy exemptions before filing will help you determine whether your assets will be at risk.
If you have more questions, read How to File Bankruptcy in Washington State. You'll find answers, helpful checklists, and an interactive bankruptcy quiz link.
How Do Bankruptcy Exemptions Work?
Bankruptcy helps struggling people get back on their feet by lessening their debt burden, not stripping them of everything they own. Exemptions allow bankruptcy filers to keep things needed to maintain a home and employment.
But paying creditors is also an important consideration. Bankruptcy exemptions balance these interests by letting filers keep necessary property but not unnecessary luxury items. Creditors receive bankruptcy funds when a bankruptcy filer owns "nonexempt" property not covered by a bankruptcy exemption.
How Do I Use Washington Bankruptcy Exemptions to Protect Property?
You'll compare your property to Washington's exemption laws. In most states (not all), debtors can use exemption laws to keep property from a creditor's reach in and outside bankruptcy.
Example. Big Creditor sued Ronin and received a $5,000 money judgment. When Big Creditor attempted to "levy" or remove money from Ronin's bank account, Ronin objected in court. Because the state's exemption law allowed Ronin to protect $1,500 of funds in a bank account, Big Creditor could seize only $3,500.
Example. When Maria filed for bankruptcy, she also had $5,000 in her checking account. She listed the state's $1,500 cash exemption in her bankruptcy petition and gave the nonexempt $3,500 to the bankruptcy trustee.
Will Washington Bankruptcy Exemptions Protect My Property?
Yes, but you have two choices in Washington. You can use Washington state exemptions and federal nonbankruptcy exemptions. Or you can use federal bankruptcy exemptions. You'll find both lists below. In many cases, married filers can double the exemption amount when filing together when they both own the property. Check with a local bankruptcy lawyer for specifics.
What Are Commonly Used Bankruptcy Exemptions in Washington?
Washington bankruptcy filers can protect home equity using the Washington homestead exemption, equity in a car using the Washington motor vehicle exemption, and more.
Washington Homestead Exemption
The Washington homestead exemption is generous—much more so than the federal homestead exemption. You can use it to protect a house, condominium, mobile, or manufactured home serving as your principal residence; however, spouses can't double the amount. The exemption amount will depend on the home's location:
| Adams $216,900 | Franklin $329,500 | Lewis $304,100 | Snohomish $549,400 |
| Asotin $216,900 | Garfield $216,900 | Lincoln $202,100 | Spokane $318,200 |
| Benton $329,500 | Grant $258,500 | Mason $319,600 | Stevens $242,00 |
| Chelan $418,600 | Grays Harbor $251,100 | Okanogan $254,500 | Thurston $383,600 |
| Clallam $352,600 | Island $442,700 | Pacific $234,300 | Wahkiakum $313,900 |
| Clark $403,700 | Jefferson $455,900 | Pend $242,000 | Walla Walla $305,500 |
| Columbia $214,700 | King $729,600 | Pierce $424,300 | Whatcom $444,400 |
| Cowlitz $307,500 | Kitsap $425,100 | San Juan $694,800 | Whitman $291,300 |
| Douglas $373,200 | Kittitas $411,000 | Skagit $421,800 | Yakima $281,500 |
| Ferry $172,900 | Klickitat $370,800 | Skamania $340,500 |
(Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 6.13.030.) Learn more about homestead exemptions and protecting your home in bankruptcy.
Washington State Motor Vehicle Exemption
A filer can exempt the equity in one motor vehicle up to $3,250 in value using Washington's motor vehicle exemption. Spouses filing jointly can each exempt a vehicle. (RCW § 6.15.010(1)(d)(iii).) Find out about protecting cars in bankruptcy and how the motor vehicle exemption works in a Chapter 7 case.
Washington State Wildcard Exemption
A filer can exempt up to $3,000 worth of any type of personal property other than wages with the following limitations: no more than $1,500 total in cash and $500 total in bank accounts (with the exception that you can have $2,000 in bank accounts for consumer debt and $2,500 for educational loans). (RCW § 6.15.010(1)(d)(ii).) Find out about the wildcard exemption in bankruptcy.
Washington State Tools of the Trade Exemption
A debtor can exempt up to $10,000 in tools, instruments, and materials used to carry on his or her trade. Special exemptions are available for farmers, physicians, attorneys, and clergymen. (RCW § 6.15.010(1)(e)(i)-(iii).)
Washington State Pension and Retirement Exemptions
Most tax-exempt pensions and retirement accounts are exempt, even if you choose the Washington exemptions instead of the federal exemptions because federal law lets filers keep tax-exempt retirement accounts in bankruptcy. These retirement accounts include 401(K)s, 403(b)s, profit-sharing and money purchase plans, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, and traditional and Roth IRAs to $1,512,350 per person. (11 USC 522(b)(3)(C); (n); amounts valid for bankruptcy cases filed between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2025.)
You can check with your fund to find out if it qualifies for tax-exempt status. Additionally, Washington provides that the following pensions and retirement accounts are exempt under Washington law:
- Police and firefighter retirement benefits are exempt. (RCW §§ 41.26.053, 41.20.180, 41.24.240, 43.43.310.)
- Retirement benefits of teachers are exempt. (RCW §§ 41.32.590, 41.32.052, 41.32.055.)
- City employee retirement benefits are exempt. (RCW §§ 41.44.240, 41.28.200.)
- A debtor may exempt federal pension benefits except for child support, and retirement disability benefits except for alimony and child support. (RCW §§ 6.15.020(2), (3).)
Washington State Personal Property Exemptions
You can exempt the following personal property:
- Clothing. No more than $3,500 for furs, jewelry, and personal ornaments per person (RCW § 6.15.010(1)(a).)
- Family pictures and keepsakes. Books and electronic media to $3,500 per person (RCW § 6.15.010(1)(b).)
- Cell phone, personal computer, and printer. (RCW § 6.15.010(1)(c).)
- Household goods, furniture, and provisions. Not to exceed $6,500 per individual or $13,000 per married couple, with no single item to exceed $750 (RCW § 6.15.010(1)(d)(i).)
- Child support. (RCW § 6.15.010(1)(d)(iv).)
- Professionally prescribed health aids. (RCW § 6.15.010(1)(d)(v).)
- Personal injury recovery. Not to exceed $20,000 per individual or loss of future income payments to the extent reasonably necessary. (RCW § 6.15.010(1)(d)(vi).)
- Tuition units. Must be purchased more than two years before filing. (RCW § 6.15.010(1)(f).)
- Annuities. (RCW § 6.15.020(1).)
Other Washington State Exemptions
- Fire insurance proceeds from exempt property. (RCW § 6.15.030.)
- Some separate property of a spouse. (RCW §§ 6.15.040, 26.16.200.)
- Wages, salary, and personal services compensation. (RCW § 6.27.150.)
- Trust income. (RCW § 6.32.250.)
- Crime victim compensation. (RCW §§ 7.68.070, 51.32.040.)
- Some partnership property. (RCW § 25.04.250.)
- Uniforms and firearms. (RCW § 38.40.150.)
- Police and fire retirement.
- Disability benefits. (RCW § 48.18.400.)
- Individual and group life insurance proceeds. (RCW §§ 48.18.410-420.)
- Annuity contract benefits. Up to $3,000 per month. (RCW § 48.18.430.)
- Fraternal benefit society benefits. (RCW § 48.36A.180.)
- Burial lots. Must be sold by a nonprofit association. (RCW §§ 68.20.120, 68.24.220.)
- Work release earnings. (RCW § 72.65.060.)
- Public assistance. (RCW §§ 74.04.280, 74.08.210, 40.020, 51.32.040)
How Do I Find Washington Bankruptcy Exemptions?
You'll find the Washington Revised Code on the Washington State Legislature webpage. You should be aware that Washington's exemption amounts adjust periodically. Consider consulting with a local bankruptcy lawyer.
How Do Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions Compare to Washington's Exemptions?
The exemption set best for you will depend on the property you own. You can't select exemptions from both lists, so choose the most advantageous set. You'll find some of the federal exemptions below. Federal exemption amounts will be adjusted on April 1, 2025.
Homestead Exemption
- You can protect $27,900 of equity in your principal residence under federal exemptions. (11 USC § 522(d)(1).)
- You must live in the home to use the homestead exemption.
- The residential property can be a house or another dwelling, such as a condominium, or personal property used as a residence (such as a residential trailer).
- This exemption doesn't cover investment or rental properties.
Personal Property
- $4,450 for your motor vehicle. (11 USC § 522(d)(2).)
- $1,875 for jewelry. (§ 522(d)(4).)
- $700 per individual item with a $14,875 aggregate value on household goods, furnishings, appliances, clothes, books, animals, crops, musical instruments. (11 USC § 522(d)(3).)
- $2,800 for tools of the trade, including implements and books
- health aids. (11 USC § 522(d)(6).)
- $14,875 in loan value, accrued dividends, or a life insurance policy interest. (11 USC § 522(d)(8).)
Domestic Support and Public Benefits
- spousal support or child support you reasonably need for your support
- life insurance payments required for your support, and
- all Social Security benefits, unemployment benefits, veteran's benefits, public assistance, and disability or illness benefits.
Personal Injury Recoveries
- $27,900 for personal injury except for pain and suffering or monetary loss. (11 USC § 522(d)(11)(D).)
- any award for the loss of future earnings needed for support
- any recovery for the wrongful death of the person relied on for support, and
- all compensation received due to being a crime victim.
Retirement Accounts
If your retirement account is exempt from taxation, it's exempt in bankruptcy. The limits for IRAs and Roth IRAS is $1,512,350.
"Wildcard" Exemption
The federal wildcard exemption is $1,475 plus $13,950 of any unused portion of your homestead exemption is available to exempt any property of your choosing. (11 USC § 522(d)(5).)
What Happens to Property I Can't Exempt in a Washington Bankruptcy?
One of two things will happen. You'll either lose nonexempt property or pay to keep it, depending on whether you file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Here's how it works.
In Chapter 7, the bankruptcy trustee sells nonexempt property and distributes the proceeds to creditors. In Chapter 13, filers pay the value of the nonexempt property to unsecured creditors. Learn about secured and unsecured debt in bankruptcy.
The procedural differences are necessary because filers can keep all property in Chapter 13 but not in Chapter 7. Without different systems, creditors would receive less in Chapter 13 than in a Chapter 7 case.
Example. Suppose you couldn't exempt a motorcycle in Chapter 7, and the Chapter 7 trustee sold it and paid unsecured creditors $10,000 after deducting sales costs. If you filed for Chapter 13, you'd pay unsecured creditors at least $10,000 through the Chapter 13 repayment plan to keep the motorcycle.
What Are the Differences Between Chapters 7 and 13 Bankruptcy?
Chapter 7 works for people who can't afford to repay creditors. Chapter 13 filers typically earn too much to qualify for Chapter 7 and must pay into a five-year repayment plan. Before filing for bankruptcy, you'll take a "means test" to determine whether you qualify for Chapter 7 or 13.
Occasionally, people qualifying for Chapter 7 file for Chapter 13 to prevent a home foreclosure, car repossession, or wage garnishment. The Chapter 13 plan allows the filer to catch up on back payments over time, a benefit not available in Chapter 7.
How Long Does it Take to File for Bankruptcy in Washington?
Most Chapter 7 cases close after four months, although the Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee sometimes needs additional time to sell property or resolve a dispute. Chapter 13 cases take three to five years to complete.
How Long Do I Have to Live in Washington Before I Can Use Its Bankruptcy Exemptions?
You can file for bankruptcy in Washington after living there for over 180 days. However, you must live in Washington for at least 730 days before using Washington exemptions. Otherwise, you'd use the previous state's exemptions.
Suppose you hadn't lived in one state the entire two years before filing. In that case, you'd use the exemptions of the state you lived in the longest during the 180 days before the two years immediately preceding your filing. (11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(3)(A).)
More rules exist, including requirements for multiple bankruptcy filings. Find out more about filing for bankruptcy after moving to a new state and who can and can't file for bankruptcy.
How Can I Avoid Bankruptcy Exemption Problems in Washington?
If you don't exempt your property carefully, you could lose it. Answers to these questions might help you steer clear of typical issues.
Do I automatically get to keep my exempt property? Generally, no. Here's the procedure you'll need to follow: Select the exemption set that best protects your property, list the exempt assets and applicable exemption laws on Schedule C: The Property You Claim as Exempt, and file it with your other required paperwork.
Will someone check my bankruptcy exemptions? The bankruptcy trustee, the court-appointed official tasked with managing your case, will review Schedule C to ensure you have the right to protect the claimed property. A trustee who disagrees with your exemptions will file an objection with the court. The judge will decide whether you can keep the property.
Example. Jeff owns a rare, classic car worth $15,000, but the state vehicle exemption will only partially protect it. Believing that the car qualifies as art, Jeff exempts it using his state's unlimited artwork exemption. The trustee reviews Schedule C, disagrees with Jeff's characterization, and files an objection with the court. After consideration, the judge will likely side with the trustee, determining that the vehicle doesn't qualify as a piece of art.
What Will Happen If I Make an Exemption Mistake in Washington?
Most trustees will likely try to work out the matter informally by discussing it at the 341 meeting of creditors or by phone or email. If you can't resolve the problem, the trustee will file a motion with the bankruptcy court.
It's worth noting that it's not a good idea to finesse exemptions. Not only are you obligated to supply correct information on your bankruptcy forms, but purposefully making inaccurate statements could be fraudulent. Bankruptcy fraud is punishable by up to $250,000, 20 years in prison, or both.
Should I Hire a Lawyer to Help With Bankruptcy Exemptions in Washington?
Chapter 13 bankruptcy filers will almost always want to hire a bankruptcy lawyer. Chapter 13 is too complicated for most people to navigate successfully.
Chapter 7 filers also benefit from hiring a bankruptcy lawyer. Still, it's more feasible to represent yourself if you have a relatively simple Chapter 7 case. But you should know that Chapter 7 filers can't dismiss a Chapter 7 matter without court approval, so it's prudent to consult a bankruptcy lawyer about potential issues. The extra step could help prevent unexpected property loss.
How Much Does It Cost to File for Bankruptcy in Washington?
You can expect to pay $1,500 to $2,500 for the average Chapter 7 case and more for a Chapter 13 matter. Bankruptcy lawyers with more experience will charge higher fees than those practicing in large cities because of the costs associated with doing business.
Even so, most bankruptcy matters won't require a top-tier lawyer. But because of the specialized nature of bankruptcy rules, you will want someone who has filed many cases.
At the time of writing, filing fees are $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13, and costs for mandatory credit counseling and debt management courses run $50 to $75.
Can I Make Payments to My Bankruptcy Lawyer?
No, not in a Chapter 7 case. Chapter 7 lawyers won't file your matter before you've paid in full because the bankruptcy court would erase any outstanding balance with other dischargeable debts. You can pay Chapter 13 attorneys' fees in installments through the Chapter 13 plan.
Need More Bankruptcy Help?
Did you know Nolo has made the law easy for over fifty years? It's true, and we want to ensure you find what you need. Below, you'll find more articles explaining bankruptcy and how it works. And don't forget that our bankruptcy homepage is the best place to start if you have other questions!
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We wholeheartedly encourage research and learning, but online articles can't address all bankruptcy issues or the facts of your case. The best way to protect your assets in bankruptcy is by hiring a local bankruptcy lawyer.
Updated August 29, 2023
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