Except as provided in RCW 6.15.050, the following personal property shall be exempt from
execution, attachment, and garnishment:
(1) All wearing apparel of every individual and family, but
not to exceed one thousand dollars in value in furs, jewelry, and
personal ornaments for any individual.
(2) All private libraries of every individual, but not to
exceed fifteen hundred dollars in value, and all family pictures
and keepsakes.
(3) To each individual or, as to community property of
spouses maintaining a single household as against a creditor of
the community, to the community:
(a) The individual's or community's household goods,
appliances, furniture, and home and yard equipment, not to exceed
two thousand seven hundred dollars in value for the individual or
five thousand four hundred dollars for the community, said amount
to include provisions and fuel for the comfortable maintenance of
the individual or community;
(b) Other personal property, except personal earnings as
provided under RCW 6.15.050(1), not to exceed two thousand
dollars in value, of which not more than two hundred dollars in
value may consist of cash, and of which not more than two hundred
dollars in value may consist of bank accounts, savings and loan
accounts, stocks, bonds, or other securities;
(c) For an individual, a motor vehicle used for personal
transportation, not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars
or for a community two motor vehicles used for personal
transportation, not to exceed five thousand dollars in aggregate
value;
(d) Any past due, current, or future child support paid or
owed to the debtor, which can be traced;
(e) All professionally prescribed health aids for the debtor
or a dependent of the debtor; and
(f) To any individual, the right to or proceeds of a payment
not to exceed sixteen thousand one hundred fifty 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. The
exemption under this subsection (3)(f) 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.
(4) To each qualified individual, one of the following
exemptions:
(a) To a farmer, farm trucks, farm stock, farm tools, farm
equipment, supplies and seed, not to exceed five thousand dollars
in value;
(b) To a physician, surgeon, attorney, clergyman, or other
professional person, the individual's library, office furniture,
office equipment and supplies, not to exceed five thousand
dollars in value;
(c) To any other individual, the tools and instruments and
materials used to carry on his or her trade for the support of
himself or herself or family, not to exceed five thousand dollars
in value.
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.
(5) Tuition units, under chapter 28B.95 RCW, purchased more
than two years prior to the date of a bankruptcy filing or court
judgment.
[2005 c 272 § 6; 2002 c 265 § 1; 1991 c 112 § 1; 1988 c 231 § 5; 1987 c 442 § 301; 1983 1st ex.s. c 45 § 8; 1979 ex.s. c 65 § 1; 1973 1st ex.s. c 154 § 13; 1965 c 89 § 1; 1886 p 96 § 1; Code 1881 § 347; 1879 p 157 § 1; 1877 p 73 § 351; 1869 p 87 § 343; 1854 p 178 § 253; RRS § 563. Formerly RCW 6.16.020.]
NOTES:
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.