Washington Debt Collection Laws: Time Limits, Garnishment and Your Rights
Washington debt rules: statute of limitations, wage garnishment limits, protected bank and home exemptions, judgments, collector rules and how to answer a debt lawsuit.
Quick answers for Washington
- Time limit to sue on a written contract
- 6 years for an action on a written contract or a liability arising from a written agreement. RCW 4.16.040(1)
- Wage garnishment limit
- For consumer debt, the debtor keeps the greater of 80% of weekly disposable earnings or 35 times the state minimum hourly wage. For private student loan debt: the greater of 85% or 50 times the highest applicable minimum wage. RCW 6.27.150(1), (3), (4)
- Money protected in a bank account
- For consumer debt, $2,000 in bank accounts, savings and securities is automatically protected ($1,000 automatic and up to $2,500 total for private student loan debt; $500 for other debts). RCW 6.15.010(1)(d)(iii)
- Answering a debt lawsuit
- In district court (where most debt cases are filed), serve your answer within 20 days after the summons and complaint are served on you (60 days from first publication if served by publication). CRLJ 12(a)
Last verified: 2026-10-26
Time limits
| Time limit to sue on a written contract | 6 years for an action on a written contract or a liability arising from a written agreement. Source: RCW 4.16.040(1) |
|---|---|
| Time limit for credit cards and open accounts | 3 years for a contract or liability not in writing (oral agreements and accounts not founded on a written agreement). Source: RCW 4.16.080(3) |
| Can a payment restart the clock? | A payment made before the limitations period expires restarts the period from the most recent payment. A written, signed acknowledgment or promise can also extend it. But a payment, acknowledgment or promise made after the period has expired does not restart, revive or extend it. Acknowledgment rule: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=4.16.280 (both amended 2019). Source: RCW 4.16.270, 4.16.280 |
| How long a judgment lasts | A judgment can be enforced (execution, garnishment and other process) for 10 years from entry. Within 90 days before the 10 years end, the creditor can ask the court for one additional 10-year period. A district court judgment transcribed to superior court is not extended separately. Source: RCW 6.17.020(1), (3) |
If you are sued
| Answering a debt lawsuit | In district court (where most debt cases are filed), serve your answer within 20 days after the summons and complaint are served on you (60 days from first publication if served by publication). Source: CRLJ 12(a) |
|---|
Garnishment and what creditors can't take
| Wage garnishment limit | For consumer debt, the debtor keeps the greater of 80% of weekly disposable earnings or 35 times the state minimum hourly wage. For private student loan debt: the greater of 85% or 50 times the highest applicable minimum wage. For other debts: the greater of 75% or 35 times the federal minimum wage. Source: RCW 6.27.150(1), (3), (4) |
|---|---|
| Money protected in a bank account | For consumer debt, $2,000 in bank accounts, savings and securities is automatically protected ($1,000 automatic and up to $2,500 total for private student loan debt; $500 for other debts). These amounts are to be inflation-adjusted every three years starting July 1, 2027. Section last amended 2025 (c. 391). Source: RCW 6.15.010(1)(d)(iii) |
| Homestead exemption | The greater of $125,000 or the county median sale price of a single-family home in the preceding calendar year (using Washington Center for Real Estate Research data). Amended 2021 (c. 290) to add the county-median measure. Source: RCW 6.13.030 |
| Vehicle exemption | One or more motor vehicles up to $15,000 in total value. Source: RCW 6.15.010(1)(d)(iv) |
| Claiming an exemption | Deliver or mail a claim of exemption (the form attached to the writ) to the clerk of the court that issued the writ, and mail a copy to the creditor or its attorney, no later than 28 days after the date on the writ (extended in some cases if service on the garnishee was delayed). The court then holds a hearing if the creditor objects. Source: RCW 6.27.160(1) |
Debt collectors and interest
| State debt collection law | Yes. The Washington Collection Agency Act lists prohibited practices for licensed collection agencies (for example, special rules for medical and hospital debt, credit-reporting disputes and contact after a debtor's attorney gives notice). Violations of the medical-debt rules are treated as unfair or deceptive acts under the Consumer Protection Act. The Act covers collection agencies, not original creditors collecting their own debts. Source: RCW 19.16.250 |
|---|---|
| Debt collector licensing | Yes. A collection agency or out-of-state collection agency must be licensed by the Director of the Department of Licensing; regular employees of a licensed agency do not need their own license. Source: RCW 19.16.110 |
| Medical debt protections | Collection agencies may not report medical debt to credit bureaus. With the first written notice they must tell the debtor of the right to request the original account number, date of last payment and an itemized statement, and they must stop collecting until a requested itemized statement is provided. Judgments for consumer debt (including medical debt) carry 9% interest. 19.16.250 last amended 2025 (c. 145). Interest: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=4.56.110 |
| Interest rate limits | Judgments on consumer debt bear 9% interest. Judgments on a written contract that sets an interest rate bear that rate. Private student loan judgments bear prime plus 2%. Other judgments bear the maximum rate under RCW 19.52.020 on the date of entry. Source: RCW 4.56.110(1), (4)-(6) |
Where to get help in Washington
- Washington State Department of Licensing (licenses collection agencies); Washington Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division
- File a complaint or claim
Debt & Collections FAQ
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Washington?
6 years for an action on a written contract or a liability arising from a written agreement.
How long can a creditor sue on a credit card debt in Washington?
3 years for a contract or liability not in writing (oral agreements and accounts not founded on a written agreement).
Does making a payment restart the statute of limitations in Washington?
A payment made before the limitations period expires restarts the period from the most recent payment. A written, signed acknowledgment or promise can also extend it. But a payment, acknowledgment or promise made after the period has expired does not restart, revive or extend it.
How long does a court judgment last in Washington?
A judgment can be enforced (execution, garnishment and other process) for 10 years from entry. Within 90 days before the 10 years end, the creditor can ask the court for one additional 10-year period. A district court judgment transcribed to superior court is not extended separately.
How much of my wages can be garnished in Washington?
For consumer debt, the debtor keeps the greater of 80% of weekly disposable earnings or 35 times the state minimum hourly wage. For private student loan debt: the greater of 85% or 50 times the highest applicable minimum wage. For other debts: the greater of 75% or 35 times the federal minimum wage.
How much money in a bank account is protected from creditors in Washington?
For consumer debt, $2,000 in bank accounts, savings and securities is automatically protected ($1,000 automatic and up to $2,500 total for private student loan debt; $500 for other debts). These amounts are to be inflation-adjusted every three years starting July 1, 2027.
What is the homestead exemption in Washington?
The greater of $125,000 or the county median sale price of a single-family home in the preceding calendar year (using Washington Center for Real Estate Research data).
Can a creditor take my car in Washington?
One or more motor vehicles up to $15,000 in total value.
What debt collection practices are illegal in Washington?
Yes. The Washington Collection Agency Act lists prohibited practices for licensed collection agencies (for example, special rules for medical and hospital debt, credit-reporting disputes and contact after a debtor's attorney gives notice). Violations of the medical-debt rules are treated as unfair or deceptive acts under the Consumer Protection Act. The Act covers collection agencies, not original creditors collecting their own debts.
Do debt collectors need a license in Washington?
Yes. A collection agency or out-of-state collection agency must be licensed by the Director of the Department of Licensing; regular employees of a licensed agency do not need their own license.
What protections apply to medical debt in Washington?
Collection agencies may not report medical debt to credit bureaus. With the first written notice they must tell the debtor of the right to request the original account number, date of last payment and an itemized statement, and they must stop collecting until a requested itemized statement is provided. Judgments for consumer debt (including medical debt) carry 9% interest.
What is the maximum legal interest rate in Washington?
Judgments on consumer debt bear 9% interest. Judgments on a written contract that sets an interest rate bear that rate. Private student loan judgments bear prime plus 2%. Other judgments bear the maximum rate under RCW 19.52.020 on the date of entry.
How do I respond to a debt collection lawsuit in Washington?
In district court (where most debt cases are filed), serve your answer within 20 days after the summons and complaint are served on you (60 days from first publication if served by publication).
How do I stop a garnishment or claim an exemption in Washington?
Deliver or mail a claim of exemption (the form attached to the writ) to the clerk of the court that issued the writ, and mail a copy to the creditor or its attorney, no later than 28 days after the date on the writ (extended in some cases if service on the garnishee was delayed). The court then holds a hearing if the creditor objects.
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.