Debt relief in Washington: collection rules, time limits and your options
Updated November 9, 2026
Washington at a glance (checked November 2026)
| Washington | |
|---|---|
| Time limit to sue on credit cards | Usually 6 years; 3 years if there's no written agreement |
| Wage garnishment for consumer debt | Up to 20% of take-home pay; weekly pay up to $599.55 is protected |
| State debt collection law | Collection Agency Act (RCW 19.16) |
| Who licenses debt collectors | Department of Licensing |
| Where to complain | Washington Attorney General, and the CFPB |
Debt collection rules in Washington
Washington's Collection Agency Act (RCW 19.16) requires collection agencies to be licensed, including agencies outside the state that collect from people in Washington, and it lists practices collectors can't use. A violation of the act is also a violation of the state Consumer Protection Act (RCW 19.16.440), which lets you sue.
The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act applies too. A third-party collector can't call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., threaten arrest or a lawsuit it doesn't plan to file, or misstate what you owe. It must send you a validation notice, and if you dispute the debt in writing within 30 days, it has to stop until it verifies the debt.
How long creditors have to sue
- 6 years for a written contract (RCW 4.16.040). Courts usually apply this to credit cards.
- 3 years for a contract that isn't in writing (RCW 4.16.080).
The clock usually starts when you default. A payment made before the time runs out can restart it. Once the time limit has passed, a partial payment generally doesn't bring the debt back, but get advice before paying anything on a very old debt.
What can be garnished in Washington
For consumer debts, Washington protects the greater of 80% of your take-home pay or 35 times the state minimum wage each week (RCW 6.27.150). At the 2026 minimum wage of $17.13, that's $599.55 a week. So a creditor with a judgment can take at most 20%, and nothing if you take home $599.55 a week or less. For a private student loan, the most it can take is 15%.
Child support and taxes follow separate rules. Social Security and other federal benefits stay protected from ordinary creditors, even after they're deposited in your bank account.
Ways out of debt in Washington
- Nonprofit credit counseling can combine your card payments into one debt management plan, usually at lower rates. Look for an agency accredited by the NFCC or FCAA.
- Would one loan cost less? Our debt consolidation calculator compares a single loan with what you're paying on your cards now.
- Debt settlement companies can't charge you a fee until they've actually settled a debt, under federal rules. Forgiven amounts can count as taxable income.
- Bankruptcy: Washington lets you choose between its own exemption list and the federal one. The state's homestead exemption protects $125,000 of home equity, or more in counties where the median home price is higher. A bankruptcy attorney can tell you which list keeps more of what you own.
Where to get help or complain
- Washington Attorney General takes consumer complaints online, or call 1-800-551-4636.
- WashingtonLawHelp has free guides on dealing with debt collectors.
- Northwest Justice Project's CLEAR hotline gives free legal advice to people with low incomes: call 1-888-201-1014, or 2-1-1 in King County. People 60 and older can call CLEAR*Senior at 1-888-387-7111.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau takes complaints about collectors and lenders nationwide.
General information about Washington law, not legal advice. Checked November 2026.