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WASHINGTON EXEMPTION LIST

Remember, you may use Federal Exemptions; however, you cannot mix and match exemptions from the federal bankruptcy code and state law. You must choose one system or the other!

How to use this table of exemptions, by Attorney Thomas A. Prediletto.

The following is a summary of the Washington exemptions that can be claimed (used) to exempt both your real and personal property in a bankruptcy petition. Washington residents may use either the Washington exemptions or the Federal exemptions; however, if your residence has not been continuously in the state of Washington for the two years prior to filing a bankruptcy petition, there are laws as whether you are able use the state versus federal exemptions.

Exempt property of a debtor is property of the debtor that is not available to be used (sold) to pay his/her unsecured creditors and is not subject to the claims of unsecured creditors, but may be subject to the rights of secured creditors and lien holders. When reviewing the list for exemptions for your own property you should be aware that there may not be a “matching” exemption. The Washington state exemptions contain a “wildcard” which can be used if a matching exemption cannot be found in the list of exemptions. Also, an individual must own an interest in the property to claim the property as exempt.

The debtor may exempt the equity (value of property less the total amount owed against it) however; any equity value in the property above the exemption amount may be subject to the claims of unsecured creditors.

By way of example, if you own a home worth $250,000 and owe a total of $200,000 against it (combining all mortgage/home equity lines of credit and/or liens against the property) the amount of equity you would need to protect is $50,000. So long as the homestead exemption is more than $50,000 the full amount of the equity is exempt and not subject to the claims of your unsecured creditors. In the alternative, say the home is worth $250,000 and you only owe $100,000 against it, anything over the exemption amount is subject to the claims of the unsecured creditors.

The same type example would apply to a motor vehicle, though the exemption for a motor vehicle is less than the amount of the exemption for a home.

Please note that all of the exemptions may be doubled if a married couple is filing, with the exception of the homestead exemption.

To view Washington exemption list and amounts available, click here or scroll down the page. To view Washington RCW Codes, visit Justia US Laws - Washington State RCW or visit Washington State Legislature website, Revised Code of Washington (RCW).

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Description LAW Max
Individual
Amount
Max
Joint Amount
Annuities RCW §6.15.020(1) UNLIMITED
Annuity Contract Benefits RCW §48.18.430 UNLIMITED
Benefits - State Patrol RCW §43.43.310 UNLIMITED
Building materials used to improve lien from 60.04 RCW RCW §60.04.150 UNLIMITED
Burial Grounds RCW §68.24.220, 68.20.120 UNLIMITED
Certain Construction Materials RCW §60.04.201 UNLIMITED
Child Support RCW §6.15.010(3)(d) UNLIMITED
Crime Victims' Compensation RCW §7.68.070(10), 51.32.040 UNLIMITED
Disability Insurance Benefits RCW §48.18.400 UNLIMITED
Earnings From Work Release RCW §72.65.060 UNLIMITED
Family Pictures & Keepsakes RCW §6.15.010(2) UNLIMITED
Farm Trucks, Stock, Tools, Etc. Of Farmer RCW §6.15.010(4)(a) $5,000.00 $5,000.00
Fraternal Benefit Society Benefits RCW §48.36A.180 UNLIMITED
Funds In Certain Deferred Compensation Plans RCW § 41.50.780 UNLIMITED
Funds of children placed with child welfare services RCW §74.13.070 UNLIMITED
Furs, Jewelry RCW §6.15.010(1) $1,000.00 $2,000.00
Health Aids RCW §6.15.010(3)(e) UNLIMITED
Health Studios Trust Account RCW § 19.142.060 UNLIMITED
Homestead RCW §6.13.010, 6.13.020, 6.13.030 $125,000.00 $125,000.00
Household Furnishings RCW §6.15.010(3)(a) $2,700.00 $5,400.00
Income Or Proceeds From Trust (Property Exempt from Seizure) RCW §6.32.250 UNLIMITED
Industrial Insurance Benefits RCW §51.32.040 UNLIMITED
Life Insurance Proceeds RCW §48.18.410 UNLIMITED
Life Insurance Proceeds - Group RCW §48.18.420 UNLIMITED
Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Pay RCW §46.29.250 UNLIMITED
Motor Vehicle(s) RCW §6.15.010(3)(c ) $2,500.00 $5,000.00
Not Farmer or Professional Tools of Trade RCW §6.15.010(4)(c ) $5,000.00 $5,000.00
Other Personal Property Except Earnings RCW §6.15.010(3)(b) $2,000.00 $2,000.00
Partnership Interest RCW §25.05.215 UNLIMITED
Pension Benefits - Federal RCW §6.15.020(2) UNLIMITED
Pension, Retirement Plan Benefits RCW § 6.15.025 UNLIMITED
Personal Injury Recovery RCW §6.15.010(3)(f) $16,150.00 $16,150.00
Plan 1,2,3, Retirement System Benefits RCW §41.40.052, 41.34.080, 41.35.100 UNLIMITED
Private Library of Debtor RCW §6.15.010(2) $1,500.00 $3,000.00
Proceeds From Exempt Property RCW §6.15.030 UNLIMITED
Proceeds of sale of homestead or insurance coverage damage RCW §6.13.070 UNLIMITED
Professional library, furnishings, tools, supplies RCW §6.15.010(4)(b) $5,000.00 $5,000.00
Property of Incompetent held by guardian RCW §11.92.060 UNLIMITED
Public Assistance Grants & Payments RCW §74.08.210 & RCW 74.13.070, 74.04.280 UNLIMITED
Retirement Benefits - City Employees RCW §41.44.240, 41.28.200, 41.20.180 UNLIMITED
Retirement Benefits - Judges RCW §2.10.180, 2.12.090, 2.14.100 UNLIMITED
Retirement Benefits - Police, Firemen RCW §41.20.180, 41.24.240, 41.26.053, 43.43.310 UNLIMITED
Retirement Benefits - State Employees RCW §41.40.380, 41.40.052 UNLIMITED
Retirement Benefits - Teachers RCW §41.32.590, 41.32.052, 41.32.055 UNLIMITED
Retirement, Disability except alimony, child support RCW §6.15.020(3) UNLIMITED
Separate property spouse - certain circumstances RCW §6.15.040 and 26.16.200 UNLIMITED
Specific Partnership Property RCW §25.04.250 UNLIMITED
Tuition units under chapter 28B.95 RCW RCW § 6.15.010(5) UNLIMITED
Unemployment Compensation Benefits RCW §50.40.020 UNLIMITED
Uniforms, Firearms RCW §38.40.150 UNLIMITED
Wages, Salary, or Other Compensation for Personal Services RCW §6.27.150 UNLIMITED
Wearing Apparel RCW §6.15.010(1) UNLIMITED
Workers’ Compensation RCW §51.32.040 UNLIMITED
Washington Revised Code RCW 2.10.180: Benefits exempt from taxation and judicial process — Exceptions — Deductions for group insurance premiums.
1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4) of this section, the right of a person to a retirement allowance, disability allowance, or death benefit, the retirement, disability or death allowance itself, any optional benefit, any other right accrued or accruing to any person under the provisions of this chapter, and the moneys in the fund created under this chapter, are hereby exempt from any state, county, municipal, or other local tax and shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, or any other process of law whatsoever.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not be deemed to prohibit a beneficiary of a retirement allowance from authorizing deductions therefrom for payment of premiums due on any group insurance policy or plan issued for the benefit of a group comprised of public employees of the state of Washington.
(3) Deductions made in the past from retirement benefits are hereby expressly recognized, ratified, and affirmed. Future deductions may only be made in accordance with this section.
(4) Subsection (1) of this section shall not prohibit the department of retirement systems from complying with (a) a wage assignment order for child support issued pursuant to chapter 26.18 RCW, (b) a notice of payroll deduction issued under chapter 26.23 RCW, (c) an order to withhold and deliver issued pursuant to chapter 74.20A RCW, (d) a mandatory benefits assignment order issued pursuant to chapter 41.50 RCW, (e) a court order directing the department of retirement systems to pay benefits directly to an obligee under a dissolution order as defined in RCW 41.50.500(3) which fully complies with RCW 41.50.670 and 41.50.700, or (f) any administrative or court order expressly authorized by federal law.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 2.12.090: Benefits exempt from taxation and judicial process — Exceptions — Deductions for group insurance premiums.
(1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4) of this section, the right of any person to a retirement allowance or optional retirement allowance under the provisions of this chapter and all moneys and investments and income thereof are exempt from any state, county, municipal, or other local tax and shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, the operation of bankruptcy or the insolvency laws, or other processes of law whatsoever and shall be unassignable except as herein specifically provided.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not prohibit the department of retirement systems from complying with (a) a wage assignment order for child support issued pursuant to chapter 26.18 RCW, (b) a notice of payroll deduction issued under chapter 26.23 RCW, (c) an order to withhold and deliver issued pursuant to chapter 74.20A RCW, (d) a mandatory benefits assignment order issued pursuant to chapter 41.50 RCW, (e) a court order directing the department of retirement systems to pay benefits directly to an obligee under a dissolution order as defined in RCW 41.50.500(3) which fully complies with RCW 41.50.670 and 41.50.700, or (f) any administrative or court order expressly authorized by federal law.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not be deemed to prohibit a beneficiary of a retirement allowance from authorizing deductions therefrom for payment of premiums due on any group insurance policy or plan issued for the benefit of a group comprised of public employees of the state of Washington.

(4) Deductions made in the past from retirement benefits are hereby expressly recognized, ratified, and affirmed. Future deductions may only be made in accordance with this section.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 2.14.100 Contributions — Distribution upon member's separation — Exemption from taxation and judicial process — Assignability — Exceptions.
(1) A member who separates from judicial service for any reason is entitled to receive a lump sum distribution of the member's accumulated contributions. The administrator for the courts may adopt rules establishing other payment options, in addition to lump sum distributions, if the other payment options conform to the requirements of the federal internal revenue code.

(2) The right of a person to receive a payment under this chapter and the moneys in the accounts created under this chapter are exempt from any state, county, municipal, or other local tax and are not subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, the operation of bankruptcy or insolvency law, or any other process of law whatsoever and is not assignable, except as is otherwise specifically provided in this section.

(3) If a judgment, decree or other order, including a court-approved property settlement agreement, that relates to the provision of child support, spousal maintenance, or the marital property rights of a spouse or former spouse, child, or other dependent of a member is made pursuant to the domestic relations law of the state of Washington or such order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in another state or country, that has been registered or otherwise made enforceable in this state, then the amount of the member's accumulated contributions shall be paid in the manner and to the person or persons so directed in the domestic relations order. However, this subsection does not permit or require a benefit to be paid or to be provided that is not otherwise available under the terms of this chapter or any rules adopted under this chapter. The administrator for the courts shall establish reasonable procedures for determining the status or any such decree or order and for effectuating distribution pursuant to the domestic relations order.

(4) The administrator for the courts may pay from a member's accumulated contributions the amount that the administrator finds is lawfully demanded under a levy issued by the internal revenue service with respect to that member or is sought to be collected by the United States government under a judgment resulting from an unpaid tax assessment against the member.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 6.13.010: Homestead, what constitutes — "Owner," "net value" defined.
(1) The homestead consists of real or personal property that the owner uses as a residence. In the case of a dwelling house or mobile home, the homestead consists of the dwelling house or the mobile home in which the owner resides or intends to reside, with appurtenant buildings, and the land on which the same are situated and by which the same are surrounded, or improved or unimproved land owned with the intention of placing a house or mobile home thereon and residing thereon. A mobile home may be exempted under this chapter whether or not it is permanently affixed to the underlying land and whether or not the mobile home is placed upon a lot owned by the mobile home owner. Property included in the homestead must be actually intended or used as the principal home for the owner.
(2) As used in this chapter, the term "owner" includes but is not limited to a purchaser under a deed of trust, mortgage, or real estate contract.
(3) As used in this chapter, the term "net value" means market value less all liens and encumbrances senior to the judgment being executed upon and not including the judgment being executed upon.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 6.13.020: Homestead — What may constitute.
If the owner is married, the homestead may consist of the community or jointly owned property of the spouses or the separate property of either spouse: PROVIDED, That the same premises may not be claimed separately by the husband and wife with the effect of increasing the net value of the homestead available to the marital community beyond the amount specified in RCW 6.13.030 as now or hereafter amended. When the owner is not married, the homestead may consist of any of his or her property.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 6.13.030: Homestead exemption limited.
A homestead may consist of lands, as described in RCW 6.13.010, regardless of area, but the homestead exemption amount shall 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 one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars in the case of lands, manufactured homes, mobile home, and improvements, or the sum of fifteen thousand dollars in the case of other personal property described in RCW 6.13.010, except where the homestead is subject to execution, attachment, or seizure by or under any legal process whatever to satisfy a judgment 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, in which event there shall be no dollar limit on the value of the exemption.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 6.13.070: Homestead exempt from execution, when — Presumed valid.
(1) Except as provided in RCW 6.13.080, the homestead is exempt from attachment and from execution or forced sale for the debts of the owner up to the amount specified in RCW 6.13.030. The proceeds of the voluntary sale of the homestead in good faith for the purpose of acquiring a new homestead, and proceeds from insurance covering destruction of homestead property held for use in restoring or replacing the homestead property, up to the amount specified in RCW 6.13.030, shall likewise be exempt for one year from receipt, and also such new homestead acquired with such proceeds.
(2) Every homestead created under this chapter is presumed to be valid to the extent of all the property claimed exempt, until the validity thereof is contested in a court of general jurisdiction in the county or district in which the homestead is situated.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 6.15.010: Exempt property.
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.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 6.15.020: Pension money exempt — Exceptions — Transfer of spouse's interest in individual retirement account.
(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 sections 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 shall 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 sections 401(a) or 403(a) of the internal revenue code of 1986, as amended; or that is a tax-sheltered annuity described in section 403(b) of such code or an individual retirement account 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 described in section 220 of such code; or an education individual retirement account described in section 530 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" also means any rights accruing on account of money paid currently or in advance for purchase of tuition units under the advanced college tuition payment program in chapter 28B.95 RCW. 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, 41.40 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 sections 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 contrary to applicable 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 individual retirement account held in the name of or on account of the other spouse, the account holder spouse. At the death of the nonaccount holder spouse, the nonaccount holder spouse may transfer or distribute the community property interest of the nonaccount holder spouse in the account holder spouse's individual retirement account to the nonaccount holder spouse's estate, testamentary trust, inter vivos trust, or other successor or successors pursuant to the last will of the 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 dispute resolution agreement entered into pursuant to *RCW 11.96.170 or other order entered under chapter 11.96A RCW, to confirm the distribution. For purposes of subsection (3) of this section, the distributee of the nonaccount holder spouse's community property interest in an individual retirement account shall be considered a person entitled to the full protection of subsection (3) of this section. The nonaccount holder spouse's consent to a beneficiary designation by the account holder spouse with respect to an individual retirement account shall not, absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, be deemed a release, gift, relinquishment, termination, limitation, or transfer of the nonaccount holder spouse's community property interest in an individual retirement account. For purposes of this subsection, the term "nonaccount holder spouse" means the spouse of the person in whose name the individual retirement account is maintained. The term "individual retirement account" includes an individual retirement account and an individual retirement annuity both as described in section 408 of the internal revenue code of 1986, as amended, a Roth individual retirement account as described in section 408A of the internal revenue code of 1986, as amended, and an individual retirement bond as described in section 409 of the internal revenue code as in effect before January 1, 1984. As used in this subsection, an order of a court of competent jurisdiction includes an agreement, as that term is used under RCW 11.96A.220.

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Washington Revised Code 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.

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Washington Revised Code 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.

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Washington Revised Code 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.

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Washington Revised Code 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 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 agency.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 6.27.150: Exemption of earnings — Amount.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, if the garnishee is an employer owing the defendant earnings, then for each week of such earnings, an amount shall be exempt from garnishment which is the greatest of the following:

(a) Thirty times the federal minimum hourly wage prescribed by section 206(a)(1) of Title 29 of the United States Code in effect at the time the earnings are payable; or

(b) Seventy-five percent of the disposable earnings of the defendant.

(2) In the case of a garnishment based on a judgment or other court order for child support or court order for spousal maintenance, other than a mandatory wage assignment order pursuant to chapter 26.18 RCW, or a mandatory assignment of retirement benefits pursuant to chapter 41.50 RCW, the exemption shall be fifty percent of the disposable earnings of the defendant if the individual is supporting a spouse or dependent child (other than a spouse or child on whose behalf the garnishment is brought), or forty percent of the disposable earnings of the defendant if the individual is not supporting such a spouse or dependent child.

(3) The exemptions stated in this section shall apply whether such earnings are paid, or are to be paid, weekly, monthly, or at other intervals, and whether earnings are due the defendant for one week, a portion thereof, or for a longer period.

(4) Unless directed otherwise by the court, the garnishee shall determine and deduct exempt amounts under this section as directed in the writ of garnishment and answer, and shall pay these amounts to the defendant.

(5) No money due or earned as earnings as defined in RCW 6.27.010 shall be exempt from garnishment under the provisions of RCW 6.15.010, as now or hereafter amended.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 6.32.250: Property exempt from seizure.
This chapter does not authorize the seizure of, or other interference with,
(1) any property which is expressly exempt by law from levy and sale by virtue of an execution, attachment, or garnishment; or
(2) any money, thing in action or other property held in trust for a judgment debtor where the trust has been created by, or the fund so held in trust has proceeded from, a person other than the judgment debtor; or
(3) the earnings of the judgment debtor for personal services to the extent they would be exempt against garnishment of the employer under RCW 6.27.150. For purposes of this section, a person shall not be treated as having made a disposition in trust for the use of that person by reason of a lapse of a power of withdrawal over the income or corpus of a trust created by another person. For this purpose, notification to the trustee of the trust of an intent not to exercise the power of withdrawal shall not be treated as a release of the power of withdrawal, but shall be treated as a lapse of the power.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 7.68.070: Benefits — Right to and amount — Limitations.
(10) The provisions relating to payment of benefits to, for or on behalf of workers contained in RCW 51.32.040, 51.32.055, 51.32.100, 51.32.110, 51.32.120, 51.32.135, 51.32.140, 51.32.150, 51.32.160, and 51.32.210 are applicable to payment of benefits to, for or on behalf of victims under this chapter.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 11.92.060: Guardian to represent incapacitated person — Compromise of claims — Service of process.
(1) GUARDIAN MAY SUE AND BE SUED. When there is a guardian of the estate, all actions between the incapacitated person or the guardian and third persons in which it is sought to charge or benefit the estate of the incapacitated person shall be prosecuted by or against the guardian of the estate as such. The guardian shall represent the interests of the incapacitated person in the action and all process shall be served on him or her. A guardian or limited guardian of the estate shall report to the court any action commenced against the incapacitated person and shall secure court approval prior to initiating any legal action in the name of the incapacitated person.

(2) JOINDER, AMENDMENT AND SUBSTITUTION. When the guardian of the estate is under personal liability for his or her own contracts and acts made and performed on behalf of the estate the guardian may be sued both as guardian and in his or her personal capacity in the same action. Misnomer or the bringing of the action by or against the incapacitated person shall not be grounds for dismissal of the action and leave to amend or substitute shall be freely granted. If an action was commenced by or against the incapacitated person before the appointment of a guardian of his or her estate, such guardian when appointed may be substituted as a party for the incapacitated person. If the appointment of the guardian of the estate is terminated, his or her successor may be substituted; if the incapacitated person dies, his or her personal representative may be substituted; if the incapacitated person is no longer incapacitated the person may be substituted.

(3) GARNISHMENT, ATTACHMENT AND EXECUTION. When there is a guardian of the estate, the property and rights of action of the incapacitated person shall not be subject to garnishment or attachment, except for the foreclosure of a mortgage or other lien, and execution shall not issue to obtain satisfaction of any judgment against the incapacitated person or the guardian of the person's estate as such.

(4) COMPROMISE BY GUARDIAN. Whenever it is proposed to compromise or settle any claim by or against the incapacitated person or the guardian as such, whether arising as a result of personal injury or otherwise, and whether arising before or after appointment of a guardian, the court on petition of the guardian of the estate, if satisfied that such compromise or settlement will be for the best interests of the incapacitated person, may enter an order authorizing the settlement or compromise be made.

(5) LIMITED GUARDIAN. Limited guardians may serve and be served with process or actions on behalf of the incapacitated person, but only to the extent provided for in the court order appointing a limited guardian.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 19.142.060 Trust account — Written receipt — Record of deposits — Buyers' claims.
(1) All moneys paid to a health studio prior to the opening of the facility shall immediately be deposited in a trust account of a federally insured financial institution located in this state. The trust account shall be designated and maintained for the benefit of health studio members. Moneys maintained in the trust account shall be exempt from execution, attachment, or garnishment. A health studio shall not in any way encumber the corpus of the trust account or commingle any other operating funds with trust account funds. Withdrawals from the trust account shall be made no sooner than thirty days after the opening of the entire facility.

(2) The health studio shall within seven days of the first deposit notify the office of the attorney general in writing, of the name, address, and location of the depository and any subsequent change thereof.

(3) The health studio shall provide the buyer with a written receipt for the money and shall provide written notice of the name, address, and location of the depository and any subsequent change thereof.

(4) The health studio shall maintain a record of each trust account deposit, including the name and address of each member whose funds are being deposited, the amount paid and the date of the deposit. Upon request of the attorney general's office, upon five days' notice, such records shall be produced for inspection.

(5) If prior to the opening of the facility the status of the health studio is transferred to another, any sums in the trust account affected by the transfer shall simultaneously be transferred to an equivalent trust account of the successor, and the successor shall promptly notify the buyer and the office of the attorney general of the transfer and of the name, address, and location of the new depository.

(6) The buyer's claim to any money under this section is prior to that of any creditor of the health studio, including a trustee in bankruptcy or receiver.

(7) After the health studio receives a notice of cancellation of the contract, or if the health studio fails to open a facility at the stated date of completion and if the buyer so requests, then the health studio shall provide a refund within thirty days.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 25.05.215: Partner's transferable interest subject to charging order.
(1) On application by a judgment creditor of a partner or of a partner's transferee, a court having jurisdiction may charge the transferable interest of the judgment debtor to satisfy the judgment. The court may appoint a receiver of the share of the distributions due or to become due to the judgment debtor in respect of the partnership and make all other orders, directions, accounts, and inquiries the judgment debtor might have made or which the circumstances of the case may require.

(2) A charging order constitutes a lien on the judgment debtor's transferable interest in the partnership. The court may order a foreclosure of the interest subject to the charging order at any time. The purchaser at the foreclosure sale has the rights of a transferee.

(3) At any time before foreclosure, an interest charged may be redeemed:

(a) By the judgment debtor;

(b) With property other than partnership property, by one or more of the other partners; or

(c) With partnership property, by one or more of the other partners with the consent of all of the partners whose interests are not so charged.

(4) This chapter does not deprive a partner of a right under exemption laws with respect to the interest in the partnership.

(5) This section provides the exclusive remedy by which a judgment creditor of a partner or partner's transferee may satisfy a judgment out of the judgment debtor's transferable interest in the partnership.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 25.05.250: Purchase of dissociated partner's interest.
(1) If a partner is dissociated from a partnership without resulting in a dissolution and winding up of the partnership business under RCW 25.05.300, the partnership shall cause the dissociated partner's interest in the partnership to be purchased for a buyout price determined pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.

(2) The buyout price of a dissociated partner's interest is the amount that would have been distributable to the dissociating partner under RCW 25.05.330(2) if, on the date of dissociation, the assets of the partnership were sold at a price equal to the greater of the liquidation value or the value based on a sale of the entire business as a going concern without the dissociated partner and the partnership were wound up as of that date. Interest must be paid from the date of dissociation to the date of payment.

(3) Damages for wrongful dissociation under RCW 25.05.230(2), and all other amounts owing, whether or not presently due, from the dissociated partner to the partnership, must be offset against the buyout price. Interest must be paid from the date the amount owed becomes due to the date of payment.

(4) A partnership shall indemnify a dissociated partner whose interest is being purchased against all partnership liabilities, whether incurred before or after the dissociation, except liabilities incurred by an act of the dissociated partner under RCW 25.05.255.

(5) If no agreement for the purchase of a dissociated partner's interest is reached within one hundred twenty days after a written demand for payment, the partnership shall pay, or cause to be paid, in cash to the dissociated partner the amount the partnership estimates to be the buyout price and accrued interest, reduced by any offsets and accrued interest under subsection (3) of this section.

(6) If a deferred payment is authorized under subsection (8) of this section, the partnership may tender a written offer to pay the amount it estimates to be the buyout price and accrued interest, reduced by any offsets under subsection (3) of this section, stating the time of payment, the amount and type of security for payment, and the other terms and conditions of the obligation.

(7) The payment or tender required by subsection (5) or (6) of this section must be accompanied by the following:
(a) A statement of partnership assets and liabilities as of the date of dissociation;
(b) The latest available partnership balance sheet and income statement, if any;
(c) An explanation of how the estimated amount of the payment was calculated; and
(d) Written notice that the payment is in full satisfaction of the obligation to purchase unless, within one hundred twenty days after the written notice, the dissociated partner commences an action to determine the buyout price, any offsets under subsection (3) of this section, or other terms of the obligation to purchase.

(8) A partner who wrongfully dissociates before the expiration of a definite term or the completion of a particular undertaking is not entitled to payment of any portion of the buyout price until the expiration of the term or completion of the undertaking, unless the partner establishes to the satisfaction of the court that earlier payment will not cause undue hardship to the business of the partnership. A deferred payment must be adequately secured and bear interest.

(9) A dissociated partner may maintain an action against the partnership, pursuant to RCW 25.05.170(2)(b)(ii), to determine the buyout price of that partner's interest, any offsets under subsection (3) of this section, or other terms of the obligation to purchase. The action must be commenced within one hundred twenty days after the partnership has tendered payment or an offer to pay or within one year after written demand for payment if no payment or offer to pay is tendered. The court shall determine the buyout price of the dissociated partner's interest, any offset due under subsection (3) of this section, and accrued interest, and enter judgment for any additional payment or refund. If deferred payment is authorized under subsection (8) of this section, the court shall also determine the security for payment and other terms of the obligation to purchase. The court may assess reasonable attorneys' fees and the fees and expenses of appraisers or other experts for a party to the action, in amounts the court finds equitable, against a party that the court finds acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith. The finding may be based on the partnership's failure to tender payment or an offer to pay or to comply with subsection (7) of this section.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 26.16.200: Antenuptial and separate debts, liability for — Child support obligation, liability for.
Neither husband or wife is liable for the debts or liabilities of the other incurred before marriage, nor for the separate debts of each other, nor is the rent or income of the separate property of either liable for the separate debts of the other: PROVIDED, That the earnings and accumulations of the husband shall be available to the legal process of creditors for the satisfaction of debts incurred by him prior to marriage, and the earnings and accumulations of the wife shall be available to the legal process of creditors for the satisfaction of debts incurred by her prior to marriage. For the purpose of this section, neither the husband nor the wife shall be construed to have any interest in the earnings of the other: PROVIDED FURTHER, That no separate debt, except a child support or maintenance obligation, may be the basis of a claim against the earnings and accumulations of either a husband or wife unless the same is reduced to judgment within three years of the marriage of the parties. The obligation of a parent or stepparent to support a child may be collected out of the parent's or stepparent's separate property, the parent's or stepparent's earnings and accumulations, and the parent's or stepparent's share of community personal and real property. Funds in a community bank account which can be identified as the earnings of the nonobligated spouse are exempt from satisfaction of the child support obligation of the debtor spouse.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 38.40.150: Property to remain public property.
All property issued to organizations and members of the organized militia of Washington shall be and remain public property.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 41.20.180: Exemption from taxation and judicial process — Exception — Assignability.
The right of a person to a pension, an annuity, or retirement allowance, or disability allowance, or death benefits, or any optional benefit, or any other right accrued or accruing to any person under the provisions of this chapter, and any fund created hereby, and all moneys and investments and income thereof, are exempt from any state, county, municipal, or other local tax, and shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, the operation of bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or other process of law whatsoever, and shall be unassignable: PROVIDED, That benefits under this chapter shall be payable to a spouse or ex-spouse to the extent expressly provided for in any court decree of dissolution or legal separation or in any court order or court-approved property settlement agreement incident to any court decree of dissolution or legal separation.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 41.24.240: Benefits not transferable or subject to legal process — Exceptions — Chapter not exclusive.
The right of any person to any future payment under the provisions of this chapter shall not be transferable or assignable at law or in equity, and none of the moneys paid or payable or the rights existing under this chapter, shall be subject to execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process, or to the operation of any bankruptcy or insolvency law. This section shall not be applicable to any child support collection action taken under chapter 26.18, 26.23, or 74.20A RCW. Benefits under this chapter shall be payable to a spouse or ex-spouse to the extent expressly provided for in any court decree of dissolution or legal separation or in any court order or court-approved property settlement agreement incident to any court decree of dissolution or legal separation.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to deprive any participant, eligible to receive a pension hereunder, from receiving a pension under any other act to which that participant may become eligible by reason of services other than or in addition to his or her services under this chapter.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 41.26.053: Exemption from judicial process, taxes — Exceptions — Deduction for insurance upon request.
(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the right of a person to a retirement allowance, disability allowance, or death benefit, to the return of accumulated contributions, the retirement, disability or death allowance itself, any optional benefit, any other right accrued or accruing to any person under the provisions of this chapter, and the moneys in the fund created under this chapter, are hereby exempt from any state, county, municipal, or other local tax and shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, the operation of bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or any other process of law whatsoever, and shall be unassignable.

(2) On the written request of any person eligible to receive benefits under this section, the department may deduct from such payments the premiums for life, health, or other insurance. The request on behalf of any child or children shall be made by the legal guardian of such child or children. The department may provide for such persons one or more plans of group insurance, through contracts with regularly constituted insurance carriers or health care service contractors.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not prohibit the department from complying with (a) a wage assignment order for child support issued pursuant to chapter 26.18 RCW, (b) an order to withhold and deliver issued pursuant to chapter 74.20A RCW, (c) a notice of payroll deduction issued pursuant to RCW 26.23.060, (d) a mandatory benefits assignment order issued by the department, (e) a court order directing the department of retirement systems to pay benefits directly to an obligee under a dissolution order as defined in RCW 41.50.500(3) which fully complies with RCW 41.50.670 and 41.50.700, or (f) any administrative or court order expressly authorized by federal law.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 41.28.200: Exemption from process — Rights not assignable.
The right of a person to a pension, an annuity or a retirement allowance, to the return of contributions, the pension, annuity or retirement allowance itself, any optional benefit, any other right accrued or accruing to any person under the provisions of this chapter, and the moneys in the fund created under this chapter shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, or any other process whatsoever and shall be unassignable except as in this chapter specifically provided.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 41.32.052: Exemption from taxation and judicial process — Exceptions — Nonassignability — Deductions authorized.
(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the right of a person to a pension, an annuity, a retirement allowance, or disability allowance, to the return of contributions, any optional benefit or death benefit, any other right accrued or accruing to any person under the provisions of this chapter and the moneys in the various funds created by this chapter shall be unassignable, and are hereby exempt from any state, county, municipal or other local tax, and shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, the operation of bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or other process of law whatsoever.

(2) This section shall not be deemed to prohibit a beneficiary of a retirement allowance who is eligible:
(a) Under RCW 41.05.080 from authorizing monthly deductions therefrom for payment of premiums due on any group insurance policy or plan issued for the benefit of a group comprised of public employees of the state of Washington or its political subdivisions;
(b) Under a group health care benefit plan approved pursuant to RCW 28A.400.350 or 41.05.065 from authorizing monthly deductions therefrom, of the amount or amounts of subscription payments, premiums, or contributions to any person, firm, or corporation furnishing or providing medical, surgical, and hospital care or other health care insurance; or
(c) Under this system from authorizing monthly deductions therefrom for payment of dues and other membership fees to any retirement association composed of retired teachers and/or public employees pursuant to a written agreement between the director and the retirement association.

Deductions under (a) and (b) of this subsection shall be made in accordance with rules that may be adopted by the director.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not prohibit the department from complying with
(a) a wage assignment order for child support issued pursuant to chapter 26.18 RCW,
(b) an order to withhold and deliver issued pursuant to chapter 74.20A RCW,
(c) a notice of payroll deduction issued pursuant to RCW 26.23.060,
(d) a mandatory benefits assignment order issued by the department,
(e) a court order directing the department of retirement systems to pay benefits directly to an obligee under a dissolution order as defined in RCW 41.50.500(3) which fully complies with RCW 41.50.670 and 41.50.700, or
(f) any administrative or court order expressly authorized by federal law.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 41.32.055: Falsification — Penalty.
Any person who shall knowingly make false statements or shall falsify or permit to be falsified any record or records of the retirement system in any attempt to defraud such system as a result of such act, is guilty of a class B felony punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 41.34.080 Benefits exempt from taxation, garnishment, other processes of law — Exceptions.
(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the right of a person to a pension, an annuity, a retirement allowance, any optional benefit, any other right accrued or accruing to any person under the provisions of this chapter, and the various funds created by chapter 239, Laws of 1995; chapter 341, Laws of 1998; and chapter 247, Laws of 2000 and all moneys and investments and income thereof, is hereby exempt from any state, county, municipal, or other local tax, and shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, the operation of bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or other process of law whatsoever, and shall be unassignable.

(2) This section shall not be deemed to prohibit a beneficiary of a retirement allowance from authorizing deductions therefrom for payment of premiums due on any group insurance policy or plan issued for the benefit of a group comprised of public employees of the state of Washington or its political subdivisions and that has been approved for deduction in accordance with rules that may be adopted by the state health care authority and/or the department. This section shall not be deemed to prohibit a beneficiary of a retirement allowance from authorizing deductions therefrom for payment of dues and other membership fees to any retirement association or organization the membership of which is composed of retired public employees, if a total of three hundred or more of such retired employees have authorized such deduction for payment to the same retirement association or organization.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not prohibit the department from complying with (a) a wage assignment order for child support issued pursuant to chapter 26.18 RCW, (b) an order to withhold and deliver issued pursuant to chapter 74.20A RCW, (c) a notice of payroll deduction issued pursuant to RCW 26.23.060, (d) a mandatory benefits assignment order issued by the department, (e) a court order directing the department to pay benefits directly to an obligee under a dissolution order as defined in RCW 41.50.500(3) which fully complies with RCW 41.50.670 and 41.50.700, or (f) any administrative or court order expressly authorized by federal law.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 41.35.100 Exemption from taxation and judicial process — Exceptions — Assignability — Deductions authorized.
(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the right of a person to a pension, an annuity, or retirement allowance, any optional benefit, any other right accrued or accruing to any person under the provisions of this chapter, the various funds created by this chapter, and all moneys and investments and income thereof, are hereby exempt from any state, county, municipal, or other local tax, and shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, the operation of bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or other process of law whatsoever, and shall be unassignable.

(2) This section does not prohibit a beneficiary of a retirement allowance from authorizing deductions therefrom for payment of premiums due on any group insurance policy or plan issued for the benefit of a group comprised of public employees of the state of Washington or its political subdivisions and which has been approved for deduction in accordance with rules that may be adopted by the state health care authority and/or the department. This section also does not prohibit a beneficiary of a retirement allowance from authorizing deductions therefrom for payment of dues and other membership fees to any retirement association or organization the membership of which is composed of retired public employees, if a total of three hundred or more of such retired employees have authorized such deduction for payment to the same retirement association or organization.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section does not prohibit the department from complying with (a) a wage assignment order for child support issued pursuant to chapter 26.18 RCW, (b) an order to withhold and deliver issued pursuant to chapter 74.20A RCW, (c) a notice of payroll deduction issued pursuant to RCW 26.23.060, (d) a mandatory benefits assignment order issued by the department, (e) a court order directing the department of retirement systems to pay benefits directly to an obligee under a dissolution order as defined in RCW 41.50.500(3) which fully complies with RCW 41.50.670 and 41.50.700, or (f) any administrative or court order expressly authorized by federal law.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 41.40.052: Exemption from taxation and judicial process — Exceptions — Assignability — Deductions authorized.
(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the right of a person to a pension, an annuity, or retirement allowance, any optional benefit, any other right accrued or accruing to any person under the provisions of this chapter, the various funds created by this chapter, and all moneys and investments and income thereof, are hereby exempt from any state, county, municipal, or other local tax, and shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, the operation of bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or other process of law whatsoever, and shall be unassignable.

(2)(a) This section shall not be deemed to prohibit a beneficiary of a retirement allowance from authorizing deductions therefrom for payment of premiums due on any group insurance policy or plan issued for the benefit of a group comprised of public employees of the state of Washington or its political subdivisions and which has been approved for deduction in accordance with rules that may be adopted by the state health care authority and/or the department, and this section shall not be deemed to prohibit a beneficiary of a retirement allowance from authorizing deductions therefrom for payment of dues and other membership fees to any retirement association or organization the membership of which is composed of retired public employees, if a total of three hundred or more of such retired employees have authorized such deduction for payment to the same retirement association or organization.
(b) This section does not prohibit a beneficiary of a retirement allowance from authorizing deductions from that allowance for charitable purposes on the same terms as employees and public officers under RCW 41.04.035 and 41.04.036.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not prohibit the department from complying with (a) a wage assignment order for child support issued pursuant to chapter 26.18 RCW, (b) an order to withhold and deliver issued pursuant to chapter 74.20A RCW, (c) a notice of payroll deduction issued pursuant to RCW 26.23.060, (d) a mandatory benefits assignment order issued by the department, (e) a court order directing the department of retirement systems to pay benefits directly to an obligee under a dissolution order as defined in RCW 41.50.500(3) which fully complies with RCW 41.50.670 and 41.50.700, or (f) any administrative or court order expressly authorized by federal law.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 41.44.240: Rights immune from legal process — Exceptions.
The right of a person to a pension, annuity or a retirement allowance, to the return of contribution, the pension, annuity or retirement allowance itself, any optional benefit, any other right accrued or accruing to any person under the provisions of this chapter, and the moneys in the fund created under this chapter shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, or any other process whatsoever. This section shall not apply to child support collection actions taken under chapter 26.18, 26.23, or 74.20A RCW against benefits payable under any such plan or arrangement. Benefits under this chapter shall be payable to a spouse or ex-spouse to the extent expressly provided for in any court decree of dissolution or legal separation or in any court order or court-approved property settlement agreement incident to any court decree of dissolution or legal separation.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 41.50.780: Deferred compensation principal and administrative accounts created — Participation in deferred compensation plans — Department's duties.
(1) The deferred compensation principal account is hereby created in the state treasury.

(2) The amount of compensation deferred by employees under agreements entered into under the authority contained in RCW 41.50.770 shall be paid into the deferred compensation principal account and shall be sufficient to cover costs of administration and staffing in addition to such other amounts as determined by the department. The deferred compensation principal account shall be used to carry out the purposes of RCW 41.50.770. All eligible state employees shall be given the opportunity to participate in agreements entered into by the department under RCW 41.50.770. State agencies shall cooperate with the department in providing employees with the opportunity to participate.

(3) Any county, municipality, or other subdivision of the state may elect to participate in any agreements entered into by the department under RCW 41.50.770, including the making of payments therefrom to the employees participating in a deferred compensation plan upon their separation from state or other qualifying service. Accordingly, the deferred compensation principal account shall be considered to be a public pension or retirement fund within the meaning of Article XXIX, section 1 of the state Constitution, for the purpose of determining eligible investments and deposits of the moneys therein.

(4) All moneys in the state deferred compensation principal account and the state deferred compensation administrative account, all property and rights purchased therewith, and all income attributable thereto, shall be held in trust by the state investment board, as set forth under RCW 43.33A.030, for the exclusive benefit of the state deferred compensation plan's participants and their beneficiaries. Neither the participant, nor the participant's beneficiary or beneficiaries, nor any other designee, has any right to commute, sell, assign, transfer, or otherwise convey the right to receive any payments under the plan. These payments and right thereto are nonassignable and nontransferable. Unpaid accumulated deferrals are not subject to attachment, garnishment, or execution and are not transferable by operation of law in event of bankruptcy or insolvency, except to the extent otherwise required by law.

(5) The state investment board has the full power to invest moneys in the state deferred compensation principal account and the state deferred compensation administrative account in accordance with RCW 43.84.150, 43.33A.140, and 41.50.770, and cumulative investment directions received pursuant to RCW 41.50.770. All investment and operating costs of the state investment board associated with the investment of the deferred compensation plan assets shall be paid pursuant to RCW 43.33A.160 and 43.84.160. With the exception of these expenses, one hundred percent of all earnings from these investments shall accrue directly to the deferred compensation principal account.

(6)(a) No state board or commission, agency, or any officer, employee, or member thereof is liable for any loss or deficiency resulting from participant investments selected pursuant to RCW 41.50.770(3).

(b) Neither the employee retirement benefits board nor the state investment board, nor any officer, employee, or member thereof is liable for any loss or deficiency resulting from reasonable efforts to implement investment directions pursuant to RCW 41.50.770(3).

(7) The deferred compensation administrative account is hereby created in the state treasury. All expenses of the department pertaining to the deferred compensation plan including staffing and administrative expenses shall be paid out of the deferred compensation administrative account. Any excess balances credited to this account over administrative expenses disbursed from this account shall be transferred to the deferred compensation principal account at such time and in such amounts as may be determined by the department with the approval of the office of financial management. Any deficiency in the deferred compensation administrative account caused by an excess of administrative expenses disbursed from this account shall be transferred to this account from the deferred compensation principal account.

(8) In addition to the duties specified in this section and RCW 41.50.770, the department shall administer the salary reduction plan established in RCW 41.04.600 through 41.04.645.

(9)(a)(i) The department shall keep or cause to be kept full and adequate accounts and records of the assets of each individual participant, obligations, transactions, and affairs of any deferred compensation plans created under RCW 41.50.770 and this section. The department shall account for and report on the investment of state deferred compensation plan assets or may enter into an agreement with the state investment board for such accounting and reporting.

(ii) The department's duties related to individual participant accounts include conducting the activities of trade instruction, settlement activities, and direction of cash movement and related wire transfers with the custodian bank and outside investment firms.

(iii) The department has sole responsibility for contracting with any recordkeepers for individual participant accounts and shall manage the performance of recordkeepers under those contracts.

(b)(i) The department's duties under (a)(ii) of this subsection do not limit the authority of the state investment board to conduct its responsibilities for asset management and balancing of the deferred compensation funds.

(ii) The state investment board has sole responsibility for contracting with outside investment firms to provide investment management for the deferred compensation funds and shall manage the performance of investment managers under those contracts.

(c) The state treasurer shall designate and define the terms of engagement for the custodial banks.

(10) The department may adopt rules necessary to carry out its responsibilities under RCW 41.50.770 and this section.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 43.43.310: Benefits exempt from taxation and legal process — Assignability — Exceptions — Deductions for group insurance premiums or for state patrol memorial foundation contributions.
(1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the right of any person to a retirement allowance or optional retirement allowance under the provisions hereof and all moneys and investments and income thereof are exempt from any state, county, municipal, or other local tax and shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, the operation of bankruptcy or the insolvency laws, or other processes of law whatsoever and shall be unassignable except as herein specifically provided.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not prohibit the department of retirement systems from complying with
(a) a wage assignment order for child support issued pursuant to chapter 26.18 RCW,
(b) an order to withhold and deliver issued pursuant to chapter 74.20A RCW,
(c) a notice of payroll deduction issued pursuant to RCW 26.23.060,
(d) a mandatory benefits assignment order issued pursuant to chapter 41.50 RCW,
(e) a court order directing the department of retirement systems to pay benefits directly to an obligee under a dissolution order as defined in RCW 41.50.500(3) which fully complies with RCW 41.50.670 and 41.50.700, or
(f) any administrative or court order expressly authorized by federal law.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not be deemed to prohibit a beneficiary of a retirement allowance from authorizing deductions therefrom for payment of premiums due on any group insurance policy or plan issued for the benefit of a group comprised of members of the Washington state patrol or other public employees of the state of Washington, or for contributions to the Washington state patrol memorial foundation.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 46.29.250: Application of sections requiring deposit of proof of financial responsibility for the future.
The provisions of this chapter requiring the deposit of proof of financial responsibility for the future, subject to certain exemptions, shall apply with respect to persons who have been convicted of or forfeited bail for certain offenses under motor vehicle laws, or who have failed to pay judgments upon causes of action arising out of ownership, maintenance or use of vehicles of a type subject to registration under the laws of this state, or who having driven or owned a vehicle involved in an accident are required to deposit security under the provisions of RCW 46.29.070.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 48.18.400: Exemption of proceeds — Disability.
The proceeds or avails of all contracts of disability insurance and of provisions providing benefits on account of the insured's disability which are supplemental to life insurance or annuity contracts heretofore or hereafter effected shall be exempt from all liability for any debt of the insured, and from any debt of the beneficiary existing at the time the proceeds are made available for his use.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 48.18.410: Exemption of proceeds — Life.
(1) The lawful beneficiary, assignee, or payee of a life insurance policy, other than an annuity, heretofore or hereafter effected by any person on his own life, or on the life of another, in favor of a person other than himself, shall be entitled to the proceeds and avails of the policy against the creditors and representatives of the insured and of the person effecting the insurance, and such proceeds and avails shall also be exempt from all liability for any debt of such beneficiary, existing at the time the proceeds or avails are made available for his own use.

(2) T(2) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall apply
(a) whether or not the right to change the beneficiary is reserved or permitted in the policy; or
(b) whether or not the policy is made payable to the person whose life is insured or to his estate if the beneficiary, assignee or payee shall predecease such person; except, that this subsection shall not be construed so as to defeat any policy provision which provides for disposition of proceeds in the event the beneficiary shall predecease the insured.

(3) The exemptions provided by subsection (1) of this section, subject to the statute of limitations, shall not apply
(a) to any claim to or interest in such proceeds or avails by or on behalf of the insured, or the person so effecting the insurance, or their administrators or executors, in whatever capacity such claim is made or such interest is asserted; or
(b) to any claim to or interest in such proceeds or avails by or on behalf of any person to whom rights thereto have been transferred with intent to defraud creditors; but an insurer shall be liable to all such creditors only as to amounts aggregating not to exceed the amount of such proceeds or avails remaining in the insurer's possession at the time the insurer receives at its home office written notice by or on behalf of such creditors, of claims to recover for such transfer, with specification of the amounts claimed; or
(c) to so much of such proceeds or avails as equals the amount of any premiums or portion thereof paid for the insurance with intent to defraud creditors, with interest thereon, and if prior to the payment of such proceeds or avails the insurer has received at its home office written notice by or on behalf of the creditor, of a claim to recover for premiums paid with intent to defraud creditors, with specification of the amount claimed.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section a policy shall also be deemed to be payable to a person other than the insured if and to the extent that a facility-of-payment clause or similar clause in the policy permits the insurer to discharge its obligation after the death of the individual insured by paying the death benefits to a person as permitted by such clause.

(5) No person shall be compelled to exercise any rights, powers, options or privileges under any such policy.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 48.18.420: Exemption of proceeds — Group life.
(1) A policy of group life insurance or the proceeds thereof payable to the individual insured or to the beneficiary thereunder, shall not be liable, either before or after payment, to be applied to any legal or equitable process to pay any liability of any person having a right under the policy. The proceeds thereof, when not made payable to a named beneficiary or to a third person pursuant to a facility-of-payment clause, shall not constitute a part of the estate of the individual insured for the payment of his debts.

(2) This section shall not apply to group life insurance policies issued under RCW 48.24.040 (debtor groups) to the extent that such proceeds are applied to payment of the obligation for the purpose of which the insurance was so issued.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 48.18.430: Exemption of proceeds, commutation — Annuities.
(1) The benefits, rights, privileges, and options under any annuity contract that are due the annuitant who paid the consideration for the annuity contract are not subject to execution and the annuitant may not be compelled to exercise those rights, powers, or options, and creditors are not allowed to interfere with or terminate the contract, except:
(a) As to amounts paid for or as premium on an annuity with intent to defraud creditors, with interest thereon, and of which the creditor has given the insurer written notice at its home office prior to making the payments to the annuitant out of which the creditor seeks to recover. The notice must specify the amount claimed or the facts that will enable the insurer to determine the amount, and must set forth the facts that will enable the insurer to determine the insurance or annuity contract, the person insured or annuitant and the payments sought to be avoided on the basis of fraud.
(b) The total exemption of benefits presently due and payable to an annuitant periodically or at stated times under all annuity contracts may not at any time exceed two thousand five hundred dollars per month for the length of time represented by the installments, and a periodic payment in excess of two thousand five hundred dollars per month is subject to garnishee execution to the same extent as are wages and salaries.
(c) If the total benefits presently due and payable to an annuitant under all annuity contracts at any time exceeds payment at the rate of two thousand five hundred dollars per month, then the court may order the annuitant to pay to a judgment creditor or apply on the judgment, in installments, the portion of the excess benefits that the court determines to be just and proper, after due regard for the reasonable requirements of the judgment debtor and the judgment debtor's dependent family, as well as any payments required to be made by the annuitant to other creditors under prior court orders.

(2) The benefits, rights, privileges, or options accruing under an annuity contract to a beneficiary or assignee are not transferable or subject to commutation, and if the benefits are payable periodically or at stated times, the same exemptions and exceptions contained in this section for the annuitant apply to the beneficiary or assignee.

(3) An annuity contract within the meaning of this section is any obligation to pay certain sums at stated times, during life or lives, or for a specified term or terms, issued for a valuable consideration, regardless of whether or not the sums are payable to one or more persons, jointly or otherwise, but does not include payments under life insurance contracts at stated times during life or lives, or for a specified term or terms.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 48.36A.180: Protection of benefits.
No money or other benefit, charity, relief, or aid to be paid, provided or rendered by any society, shall be liable to attachment, garnishment, or other process, or to be seized, taken, appropriated, or applied by any legal or equitable process or operation of law to pay any debt or liability of a member or beneficiary, or any other person who may have a right thereunder, either before or after payment by the society.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 50.40.020: Exemption of benefits.
Any assignment, pledge, or encumbrance of any right to benefits which are or may become due or payable under this title shall be void. Such rights to benefits shall be exempt from levy, execution, attachment, or any other remedy whatsoever provided for the collection of debts, except as provided in RCW 50.40.050. Benefits received by any individual, so long as they are not commingled with other funds of the recipient, shall be exempt from any remedy whatsoever for collection of all debts except debts incurred for necessaries furnished such individual or his spouse or dependents during the time when such individual was unemployed. Any waiver of any exemption provided for in this section shall be void.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 51.32.040 Protection of awards — Payment after death — Time limitations for filing — Confinement in institution.
(1) Except as provided in RCW 43.20B.720, 72.09.111, 74.20A.260, and 51.32.380, no money paid or payable under this title shall, before the issuance and delivery of the check or warrant, be assigned, charged, or taken in execution, attached, garnished, or pass or be paid to any other person by operation of law, any form of voluntary assignment, or power of attorney. Any such assignment or charge is void unless the transfer is to a financial institution at the request of a worker or other beneficiary and made in accordance with RCW 51.32.045.

(2)(a) If any worker suffers
(i) a permanent partial injury and dies from some other cause than the accident which produced the injury before he or she receives payment of the award for the permanent partial injury or
(ii) any other injury before he or she receives payment of any monthly installment covering any period of time before his or her death, the amount of the permanent partial disability award or the monthly payment, or both, shall be paid to the surviving spouse or the child or children if there is no surviving spouse. If there is no surviving spouse and no child or children, the award or the amount of the monthly payment shall be paid by the department or self-insurer and distributed consistent with the terms of the decedent's will or, if the decedent dies intestate, consistent with the terms of RCW 11.04.015.
(b) If any worker suffers an injury and dies from it before he or she receives payment of any monthly installment covering time loss for any period of time before his or her death, the amount of the monthly payment shall be paid to the surviving spouse or the child or children if there is no surviving spouse. If there is no surviving spouse and no child or children, the amount of the monthly payment shall be paid by the department or self-insurer and distributed consistent with the terms of the decedent's will or, if the decedent dies intestate, consistent with the terms of RCW 11.04.015.
(c) Any application for compensation under this subsection (2) shall be filed with the department or self-insuring employer within one year of the date of death. The department or self-insurer may satisfy its responsibilities under this subsection (2) by sending any payment due in the name of the decedent and to the last known address of the decedent.

(3)(a) Any worker or beneficiary receiving benefits under this title who is subsequently confined in, or who subsequently becomes eligible for benefits under this title while confined in, any institution under conviction and sentence shall have all payments of the compensation canceled during the period of confinement. After discharge from the institution, payment of benefits due afterward shall be paid if the worker or beneficiary would, except for the provisions of this subsection (3), otherwise be entitled to them.
(b) If any prisoner is injured in the course of his or her employment while participating in a work or training release program authorized by chapter 72.65 RCW and is subject to the provisions of this title, he or she is entitled to payments under this title, subject to the requirements of chapter 72.65 RCW, unless his or her participation in the program has been canceled, or unless he or she is returned to a state correctional institution, as defined in RCW 72.65.010(3), as a result of revocation of parole or new sentence.
(c) If the confined worker has any beneficiaries during the confinement period during which benefits are canceled under (a) or (b) of this subsection, they shall be paid directly the monthly benefits which would have been paid to the worker for himself or herself and the worker's beneficiaries had the worker not been confined.

(4) Any lump sum benefits to which a worker would otherwise be entitled but for the provisions of this section shall be paid on a monthly basis to his or her beneficiaries.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 60.04.201: Material exempt from process — Exception.
Whenever material is furnished for use in the improvement of property subject to a lien created by this chapter, the material is not subject to attachment, execution, or other legal process to enforce any debt due by the purchaser of the material, except a debt due for the purchase money thereof, so long as in good faith, the material is about to be applied in the improvement of such property.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 68.20.120: Sold lots exempt from taxes, etc. — Nonprofit associations.
Burial lots, sold by *such association shall be for the sole purpose of interment, and shall be exempt from taxation, execution, attachment or other claims, lien or process whatsoever, if used as intended, exclusively for burial purposes and in nowise with a view to profit.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 68.24.220: Burying place exempt from execution.
Whenever any part of such burying ground shall have been designated and appropriated by the owners as the burying place of any particular person or family, the same shall not be liable to be taken or disposed of by any warrant, execution, tax, or debt whatever; nor shall the same be liable to be sold to satisfy the demands of creditors whenever the estate of the owner shall be insolvent.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 72.65.060: Earnings not subject to legal process.
The earnings of a work release participant shall not be subject to garnishment, attachment, or execution while such earnings are either in the possession of the employer or any state officer authorized to hold such funds, except for payment of a court-ordered legal financial obligation as that term is defined in RCW 72.11.010.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 74.04.280: Assistance nontransferable and exempt from process.
Assistance given under this title shall not be transferable or assignable at law or in equity and none of the moneys received by recipients under this title shall be subject to execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process, or to the operation of any bankruptcy or insolvency law.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 74.08.210: Grants not assignable nor subject to execution.
Grants awarded under this title shall not be transferable or assignable, at law or in equity, and none of the money paid or payable under this title shall be subject to execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process, or to the operation of bankruptcy or insolvency law.

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Washington Revised Code RCW 74.13.070: Moneys in possession of secretary not subject to certain proceedings.
None of the moneys or other funds which come into the possession of the secretary under chapter 169, Laws of 1971 ex. sess. shall be subject to execution, levy, attachment, garnishment or other legal process or other operation of any bankruptcy or insolvency law.