Washington

The information given on this page is for educational and informational purposes only, and does not constitute any legal or tax advice or opinion. This page is meant to give a quick start to research by other professionals, but it should absolutely not be relied upon for any purposes whatsoever. Additionally, this page is kept current only as our time allows, and the information given here may not be current. We make NO GUARANTEES as to the accuracy of the information herein and you should not rely on it. Even professionals who use this information must independently verify whether it is correct and current.

Nothing in the information given below should imply that the drafters of this webpage are admitted to practice law in the referenced state or have any special expertise in the areas listed. Nothing herein should be construed as a solicitation by the drafters of this website to practice law in the referenced state. Persons desiring planning should contact a licensed attorney or other appropriate planning professional in this state. Certainly, nothing herein is any substitute for the services, advice, or counsel of a properly licensed attorney in the relevant state!

Washington Asset Protection Overview

Washington debtors may choose from either the state or federal exemptions.

Like most western states, Washington gives only nominal protection to creditors but some protection to properly structured insurance arrangements.

Washington Statutory Creditor Exemptions

For additional detailed information on the use of life insurance, annuities, pension plans, and employee benefit plans for wealth preservation and asset protection, see advanced life insurance

Washington Homestead

• The Homestead exemption amount in Washington is $40,000.

Statute

• There is no exemption limit if the debtor is seeking to discharge a debt, which was accrued for failure to pay Washington state income taxes on retirement benefits, while a resident of Washington.

Statute

• A homestead declaration must be filed before the sale of the home, if the property is unimproved or unoccupied.

Statute

Washington Homestead Exemption Cases

• Patrick J. McLaughlin & Lerae McLaughlin v. Timothy A. Sorensen, et al.,
  No. 31171-2-II (Wash.App. 03/30/2005)

• Latman v. Burdette,
  No. 02-35538 (9th Cir. 06/08/2004)

• In re Marriage of Aversano,
  No. 52350-3-I (Wash.App.Div.1 04/26/2004)

• Martel v. Dahlquist,
  118 Wash.App. 1012 (Wash.App.Div.1 08/18/2003)

• Robin L. Miller Construction Co., Inc. v. Coltran,
  43 P.3d 67 (Wash.App.Div.1 04/01/2002)

• Household Finance Industrial Loan Co. v. Upton,
  6 P.3d 1231 (Wash.App.Div.1 08/28/2000)

Washington Life Insurance

• Life insurance proceeds are exempt, if the insured is not the beneficiary.

Statute

• Group life insruance proceeds or policies are exempt.

Statute

Washington Annuities

• Annuity contract proceeds, up to $250 per month, are exempt.

Statute

• Disability proceeds and benefits are exempt.

Statute

• Effective July 24, 2005, the exemption for proceeds of annuities has increased to $2,500. Although the official code section has not been changed, the bill, which originated in the House has been signed into law.

  House Bill 1197

Washington IRAs & Pension Plans

• IRAs are exempt.

Statute

• ERISA-qualified benefits are exempt.

Statute

• City employee pension plans are exempt.

Statute

Washington Fraudulent Transfers

For additional detailed information relating to fraudulent transfers, including the text of the Uniform Fraudulent Transfers Act, see fraudulent transfers

Washington Act

• Washington Fraudulent Transfers Act

Washington Fraudulent Transfer Cases

Federal Circuit Court

• U.S. v. Townley, Slip Copy,
  2006 WL 1345248 (9th Cir. 05/17/2006)

• In re Northern Merchandise, Inc., Debtor,
  No. 02-36065 (9th Cir. 06/14/2004)

State Appellate Court

• Associates Housing Finance L.L.C. v. Stredwick,
  No. 21985-2-III (Wash.App.Div.3 02/03/2004)

• Morbeck v. Kirlan Venture Capital, Inc.,
  No. 49641-7-I (Wash.App.Div.1 07/21/2003)

• Powell v. Sphere Drake Insurance, P.L.C.,
  108 Wash.App. 1007 (Wash.App.Div.1 09/04/2001)

• Hertz Equipment Rental Corp. v. C.Garrett Enterprises, Inc.,
  No. 44007-1-I9 (Wash.App.Div.1 02/05/2001)

• In re Marriage of Olsen,
  999 P.2d 1286 (Wash.App. 05/30/2000)

• Worthington v. Low Cost Drugs, Inc.
  99 Wash.App. 1037 (Wash.App.Div.3 02/15/2000

• Powell v. Sphere Drake Insurance PLC,
  988 P.2d 12 (Wash.App.Div.1 08/09/1999)

• Mountain Meadows Mining Corp. v. Bolt,
  No. 17072-1-III (Wash.App.Div.3 07/13/1999)

• Rendoni v. Pacific Fleet & Lease Sales Inc.,
  No. 43049-1-I (Wash.App.Div.1 06/01/1999)

• State v. Stein,
  972 P.2d 505 (Wash.App.Div.2 02/26/1999)

• In re Estate of Delguzzi,
  No. 21752-0-II (Wash.App.Div.2 01/08/1999)

• Fleming v. French,
  No. 22124-1-II (Wash.App.Div.2 11/20/1998)

• Eagle Pacific Insurance Co. v. Christensen Motor Yacht Corp.,
  959 P.2d 1052 (Wash. 07/30/1998)

• Worthington v. Low Cost Drugs Inc.,
  No. 16542-6-III (Wash.App.Div.3 03/19/1998)

• Freitag v. McGhie,
  947 P.2d 1186 (Wash. 12/11/1997)

• Skagit Valley Publishing Co. v. Kajac Inc.,
  No. 35289-0-1 (Wash.App.Div.1 04/14/1997)

• McMaster v. Farmer,
  886 P.2d 240 (Wa.App. 12/30/1994)

• [Appellant] v. Mockridge,
  877 P.2d 719 (Wa.App. 08/01/1994)

• SSG Corp. v. Cunningham,
  875 P.2d 16 (Wa.App. 06/30/1994)

• Sedwick v. Gwinn,
  865 P.2d 545 (Wa.App. 01/18/1994)

• Clearwater v. Skyline Construction Co.,
  835 P.2d 257 (Wa.App. 08/31/1992)

• Aetna Casualty and Surety Co. v. M & S Industries Inc.,
  827 P.2d 321 (Wa.App. 04/08/1992)

• Certification From United States District Court
  for Western District of Washington v. Codispoti,
  821 P.2d 1198 (Wa. 12/19/1991)

• Park Hill Corp. v. Sharp,
  803 P.2d 326 (Wa.App. 01/15/1991)

• Bryant v. Joseph Tree Inc.,
  791 P.2d 537 (Wa.App. 02/26/1990)

• Deyong Management v. Previs,
  735 P.2d 79 (Wa.App. 03/30/1987)

• Rainier National Bank v. McCracken,
  615 P.2d 469 (Wa.App. 06/23/1980)

• Morgan v. Burks,
  611 P.2d 751 (Wa. 05/22/1980)

• Stohr v. Randle,
  505 P.2d 1281 (Wa. 02/01/1973)

• Hull v. Minkler,
  319 P.2d 815 (Wa. 01/02/1958)

• Mill & Logging Supply Co. v. West Tenino Lumber Co.,
  265 P.2d 807 (Wa. 01/21/1954)

• Davison v. Hewitt,
  106 P.2d 733 (Wa. 10/30/1940)

• In re Estate of Frederick J. Wood,
  100 P.2d 397 (Wa. 03/28/1940)

For additional detailed information relating to the use of trusts for asset protection, including foreign and domestic asset protection trusts, see trusts.

Washington rust Act (Non Self-Settled)

• Washington Trust Act

Washington Business Entities

Washington Acts

• Link to Corporation Act
• Link to Limited Partnership Act
• Link to Limited Liability Company Act

Washington Charging Order Cases

• Koh v Inno Pacific Holdings Ltd,
  54 P.3d (Wash App Div 1 10/07/2002)

Washington Alter Ego & Corporate Veil Cases

• Benaroya Capital Company, LLC v. EMF Partners, LLC et al.,
  No. 54428-4-I (Wash.App. 07/05/2005)

• Fremont Indemnity Co., in liquidation
  v. Commencement International Corp., et al.,
  No. 31129-1-II (Wash.App. 11/02/2004)

• Duncan J. McNeil v. John T. Powers, Jr., et al.,
  No. 21958-5-III (Wash.App. 09/09/2004)

• Mayo v Tibbitts,
  114 Wash App 1060 (Wash App Div 3 12/12/2002)

• Warn/Williams & Associates v Quick Check, Inc.,
  114 Wash App. 1049 (Wash App.Div 1 12/02/2002)

• Minton v Ralston Purina Co.,
  47 P 3d 556 (Wash. 06/06/2002)

Useful Washington Links

For additional detailed information relating to financial frauds and tax scams, see http://www.quatloos.com

• Washington Secretary of State
• Washington Attorney General
• Washington Securities Division
• Washington Bar Association

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