Washington Constitution Article XIX - Exemptions

Washington Constitution – Article XIX: Exemptions

Article XIX of the Washington State Constitution deals with property exemptions, specifically those protecting certain property from forced sale or seizure to satisfy debts. Here's a summary of its content:

Section 1 – Homestead Exemption

The legislature must protect a reasonable amount of a homestead from forced sale, except for debts such as taxes or mortgages.

This means Washington law must allow individuals to keep their primary residence (or a portion of its value) safe from most creditors, ensuring families are not left homeless due to financial hardship.

Section 2 – Personal Property Exemptions

The legislature is also directed to pass laws protecting a reasonable amount of personal property from seizure for debt.

These may include:

Clothing

Tools of a trade

Household goods

Other essentials necessary for basic living

Purpose:

This article is meant to ensure basic economic security for individuals and families by preventing total loss of essential property due to debt collection.

 

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