Chapter 6.17 RCW

EXECUTIONS

Sections

HTMLPDF 6.17.010Application of chapter to district courts.
HTMLPDF 6.17.020Execution authorized within 10 yearsExceptionsFeeRecoverable cost.
HTMLPDF 6.17.030Execution in name of assignee or personal representative.
HTMLPDF 6.17.040Stay of executionBondTime periods.
HTMLPDF 6.17.050Stay of executionJudgment against surety on bond if not paid.
HTMLPDF 6.17.060Kinds of execution.
HTMLPDF 6.17.070Execution in particular cases.
HTMLPDF 6.17.080Enforcement of judgment against local governmental entity.
HTMLPDF 6.17.090Property liable to execution.
HTMLPDF 6.17.100Affidavit of judgment creditorFiling required before issuance of writContents.
HTMLPDF 6.17.110Form and contents of writ.
HTMLPDF 6.17.120Sheriff's duty on receiving writOrder of executing writs.
HTMLPDF 6.17.130Sheriff's execution and service of writSale dateNotice to judgment debtor.
HTMLPDF 6.17.140Sheriff's execution of writSatisfaction of judgmentProceeds to clerkDistribution of proceeds.
HTMLPDF 6.17.150Clerk's duty on receipt of execution proceeds.
HTMLPDF 6.17.160Sheriff's execution of writManner of levy.
HTMLPDF 6.17.170Levy on jointly owned real estate.
HTMLPDF 6.17.180Levy on jointly owned personal property.
HTMLPDF 6.17.190Retention of property by judgment debtorOn bond or approval of judgment creditor.


Application of chapter to district courts.

Unless otherwise expressly provided, all provisions of this chapter governing execution against personal property apply to proceedings before district courts of this state, but the district courts shall not have power to issue writs of execution against real property or any interest in real property or against a vendor's interest in a real estate contract.



Execution authorized within 10 yearsExceptionsFeeRecoverable cost.

(1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4) of this section, the party in whose favor a judgment of a court has been or may be filed or rendered, or the assignee or the current holder thereof, may have an execution, garnishment, or other legal process issued for the collection or enforcement of the judgment at any time within 10 years from entry of the judgment or the filing of the judgment in this state.
(2) After July 23, 1989, a party who obtains a judgment or order of a court or an administrative order entered as defined in RCW 74.20A.020(6) for accrued child support, or the assignee or the current holder thereof, may have an execution, garnishment, or other legal process issued upon that judgment or order at any time within 10 years of the 18th birthday of the youngest child named in the order for whom support is ordered.
(3) After June 9, 1994, a party in whose favor a judgment has been filed as a foreign judgment or rendered pursuant to subsection (1) or (4) of this section, or the assignee or the current holder thereof, may, within 90 days before the expiration of the original 10-year period, apply to the court that rendered the judgment or to the court where the judgment was filed as a foreign judgment for an order granting an additional 10 years during which an execution, garnishment, or other legal process may be issued. If a district court judgment of this state is transcribed to a superior court of this state, the original district court judgment shall not be extended and any petition under this section to extend the judgment that has been transcribed to superior court shall be filed in the superior court within 90 days before the expiration of the 10-year period of the date the transcript of the district court judgment was filed in the superior court of this state. The petitioner shall pay to the court a filing fee equal to the filing fee for filing the first or initial paper in a civil action in the court, except in the case of district court judgments transcribed to superior court, where the filing fee shall be the fee for filing the first or initial paper in a civil action in the superior court where the judgment was transcribed. The order granting the application shall contain an updated judgment summary as provided in RCW 4.64.030. The filing fee required under this subsection shall be included in the judgment summary and shall be a recoverable cost. The application shall be granted as a matter of right, subject to review only for timeliness, factual issues of full or partial satisfaction, or errors in calculating the judgment summary amounts.
(4)(a) A party who obtains a judgment or order for restitution pursuant to a criminal judgment and sentence, or the assignee or the current holder thereof, may execute, garnish, and/or have legal process issued upon the judgment or order any time within 10 years subsequent to the entry of the judgment and sentence or 10 years following the offender's release from total confinement as provided in chapter 9.94A RCW. The clerk of [the] superior court, or a party designated by the clerk, may seek extension under subsection (3) of this section for purposes of collection as allowed under RCW 36.18.190, provided that no filing fee shall be required.
(b) A party who obtains a judgment or order for court-ordered legal financial obligations other than restitution, pursuant to a criminal judgment and sentence, or the assignee or the current holder thereof, may execute, garnish, and have legal process issued upon the judgment or order any time within 10 years subsequent to the entry of the judgment and sentence or 10 years following the offender's release from total confinement as provided in chapter 9.94A RCW. The clerk of [the] superior court, or a party designated by the clerk, may seek extension under subsection (3) of this section for purposes of collection as allowed under RCW 36.18.190, only if the court finds that the offender has the current or likely future ability to pay the nonrestitution legal financial obligations. A person does not have the current ability to pay if the person is indigent as defined in RCW 10.01.160(3). No filing fee shall be required for filing a petition for an extension pursuant to this subsection (4)(b).
(5) "Court" as used in this section includes but is not limited to the United States supreme court, the United States courts of appeals, the United States district courts, the United States bankruptcy courts, the Washington state supreme court, the court of appeals of the state of Washington, superior courts and district courts of the counties of the state of Washington, and courts of other states and jurisdictions from which judgment has been filed in this state under chapter 6.36 or * 6.40 RCW.
(6) The perfection of any judgment lien and the priority of that judgment lien on property as established by RCW 6.13.090 and chapter 4.56 RCW is not altered by the extension of the judgment pursuant to the provisions of this section and the lien remains in full force and effect and does not have to be rerecorded after it is extended. Continued perfection of a judgment that has been transcribed to other counties and perfected in those counties may be accomplished after extension of the judgment by filing with the clerk of the other counties where the judgment has been filed either a certified copy of the order extending the judgment or a certified copy of the docket of the matter where the judgment was extended.
(7) Except as ordered in RCW 4.16.020 (2) or (3), chapter 9.94A RCW, or chapter 13.40 RCW, no judgment is enforceable for a period exceeding 20 years from the date of entry in the originating court. Nothing in this section may be interpreted to extend the expiration date of a foreign judgment beyond the expiration date under the laws of the jurisdiction where the judgment originated.
(8) The chapter 261, Laws of 2002 amendments to this section apply to all judgments currently in effect on June 13, 2002, to all judgments extended after June 9, 1994, unless the judgment has been satisfied, vacated, and/or quashed, and to all judgments filed or rendered, or both, after June 13, 2002.

NOTES:

Rules of court: Cf. CR 58(b), 62(a), and 69(a); JCR 54.
*Reviser's note: Chapter 6.40 RCW was repealed in its entirety by chapter 363, Laws of 2009. Later enactment, see chapter 6.40A RCW.
ConstructionEffective date2022 c 260: See notes following RCW 3.66.120.
Application1980 c 105: See note following RCW 4.16.020.
Entry of judgment: RCW 6.01.020.



Execution in name of assignee or personal representative.

When a judgment recovered in any court of this state has been assigned, execution may issue in the name of the assignee after the assignment has been recorded in the execution docket by the clerk of the court in which the judgment was recovered. When the person in whose name execution might have issued has died, execution may issue in the name of the executor, administrator or legal representative of such deceased person after letters testamentary or of administration or other sufficient proof has been filed in the cause and recorded in the execution docket by the clerk of the court in which the judgment was entered.
[ 1987 c 442 § 403; 1957 c 8 § 2; 1929 c 25 § 7; RRS § 519. Prior: Code 1881 § 334; 1877 p 70 § 338; 1869 p 84 § 330. Formerly RCW 6.04.070.]



Stay of executionBondTime periods.

In addition to any stay of execution provided by court rule, stay of execution shall be allowed on judgments of the courts of this state for the following periods upon the judgment debtor filing with the clerk of the court in which the judgment was entered a bond in double the amount of the judgment and costs, with surety to the satisfaction of the clerk, conditioned to pay the judgment, interests, costs, and increased costs, at the expiration of the stay period. If execution is issued before elapse of the stay period, the judgment debtor may nevertheless stay execution for the balance of the period by filing the required bond.
(1) In the supreme court and the court of appeals, the period of stay, measured from date of entry of judgment, shall be:
(a) On all sums under five thousand dollars, thirty days;
(b) On all sums over five and under fifteen thousand dollars, sixty days; and
(c) On all sums over fifteen thousand dollars, ninety days.
(2) On judgments rendered in the superior court or a district court of this state, the period of stay shall be:
(a) On all sums under three thousand dollars, two months;
(b) On all sums over three thousand and under ten thousand dollars, five months; and
(c) On all sums over ten thousand dollars, six months.

NOTES:

Rules of court: Cf. CR 62(a).



Stay of executionJudgment against surety on bond if not paid.

If execution of a judgment is stayed as permitted by RCW 6.17.040 and the judgment is not satisfied at expiration of the stay period, at any time thereafter the judgment creditor may, upon motion supported by an affidavit that the judgment or any part of it is unpaid and stating how much still remains due, have judgment against the surety on the bond for the balance remaining due, and have an execution on the judgment against the surety, on which stay shall not be allowed.



Kinds of execution.

There shall be three kinds of executions: First, against the property of the judgment debtor; second, for the delivery of the possession of real or personal property or such delivery with damages for withholding the same; and third, commanding the enforcement of or obedience to any other order of the court. In all cases there shall be an order to collect the costs.
[ 1987 c 442 § 406; 1929 c 25 § 3; RRS § 511. Prior: Code 1881 § 327; 1877 p 68 § 331; 1854 p 176 § 244. Formerly RCW 6.04.020.]



Execution in particular cases.

When any judgment of a court of this state requires the payment of money or the delivery of real or personal property, it may be enforced by execution. When a judgment of a court of record requires the performance of any other act, a certified copy of the judgment may be served on the party against whom it is given or the person or officer who is required by the judgment or by law to obey the same, and a writ may be issued commanding the person or officer to obey or enforce the judgment. Refusal to do so may be punished by the court as for contempt.
[ 1987 c 442 § 407; 1957 c 8 § 1; 1929 c 25 § 1; RRS § 512. Prior: Code 1881 § 326; 1877 p 68 § 330; 1854 p 176 § 244. Formerly RCW 6.04.030.]



Enforcement of judgment against local governmental entity.

No execution may issue for collection of a judgment for the recovery of money or damages against a local governmental entity. Any such judgment may be enforced as follows:
(1) The judgment creditor may at any time when execution might issue on a like judgment against a private person, and after acknowledging satisfaction of the judgment as in ordinary cases, obtain from the clerk a certified transcript of the judgment. The clerk shall include in the transcript a copy of the memorandum of acknowledgment of satisfaction and the entry thereof as the basis for an order on the treasurer for payment. Unless the transcript contains such memorandum, no order upon the treasurer shall issue thereon.
(2) The judgment creditor shall present the certified transcript showing satisfaction of the judgment to the officer of the local governmental entity who is authorized to draw orders on its treasury.
(3) The officer shall draw an order on the treasurer for the amount of the judgment, in favor of the judgment creditor. The order shall be presented for payment and paid with like effect and in like manner as other orders upon the treasurer. If the proper officer of the local governmental entity fails or refuses to draw the order for payment of the judgment as provided in this section, a writ of mandamus may be issued in the original case to compel performance of the duty.
(4) As used in this section, the term "local governmental entity" means a county, city, town, special district, municipal corporation, or quasi-municipal corporation.
[ 1993 c 449 § 6; 1987 c 442 § 408; Code 1881 § 664; 1877 p 137 § 667; 1869 p 154 § 604; RRS § 953. Formerly RCW 6.04.140.]

NOTES:

PurposeSeverability1993 c 449: See notes following RCW 4.96.010.



Property liable to execution.

All property, real and personal, of the judgment debtor that is not exempted by law is liable to execution.
[ 1987 c 442 § 409; 1929 c 25 § 6; RRS § 518. Prior: Code 1881 § 333; 1877 p 70 § 337; 1854 p 177 § 251. Formerly RCW 6.04.060.]



Affidavit of judgment creditorFiling required before issuance of writContents.

(1) Before a writ of execution may issue on any real property, the judgment creditor must file with the court an affidavit as described in subsection (4) of this section and must mail a copy of the affidavit to the judgment debtor at the debtor's last known address.
(2) If the affidavit attests that the premises are occupied or otherwise claimed as a homestead by the judgment debtor, the execution for the enforcement of a judgment obtained in a case not within the classes enumerated in RCW 6.13.080 must comply with RCW 6.13.100 through 6.13.170.
(3) The term "due diligence," as used in subsection (4) of this section, includes but is not limited to the creditor or the creditor's representative personally visiting the premises, contacting the occupants and inquiring about their relationship to the judgment debtor, contacting immediate neighbors of the premises, and searching the records of the auditor of the county in which the property is located to determine if a declaration of homestead or nonabandonment has been recorded by the judgment debtor. An examination of the debtor in supplemental proceedings on the points to be covered in the affidavit constitutes "due diligence."
(4) The affidavit required by this section shall include:
(a) A statement that the judgment creditor has exercised due diligence to ascertain whether the judgment debtor has sufficient nonexempt personal property to satisfy the judgment with interest and believes that there is not sufficient nonexempt personal property belonging to the judgment debtor to so satisfy the judgment. A list of personal property located shall be attached with an indication of any items that the judgment creditor believes to be exempt.
(b) A statement that the judgment creditor has exercised due diligence to ascertain whether the property is occupied or otherwise claimed by the judgment debtor as a homestead as defined in chapter 6.13 RCW.
(c) A statement based on belief whether the judgment debtor is currently occupying the property as the judgment debtor's principal residence and whether there is a declaration of homestead or nonabandonment of record. If the affidavit alleges that the property is not occupied or claimed as a homestead, the creditor must list the facts relied upon to reach that conclusion.
(d) If the judgment debtor is not occupying the property and there is no declaration of nonabandonment of record, a statement based on belief whether the judgment debtor has been absent for a period of at least six months, with facts relied upon to reach that conclusion, and, if known, the judgment debtor's current address.

NOTES:

Severability1988 c 231: See note following RCW 6.01.050.
Severability1981 c 329: See note following RCW 6.21.020.



Form and contents of writ.

(1) The writ of execution shall be issued in the name of the state of Washington, sealed with the seal of the court, and subscribed by the clerk of the court in which the judgment was entered or to which it has been transferred, and shall be directed to the sheriff of the county in which the property is situated. The writ shall intelligibly refer to the judgment, stating the court, the county where the judgment was rendered, the names of the parties, the amount of the judgment if it be for money, and the amount actually due thereon; and if the judgment has been recorded, the writ shall so indicate and shall state the recording number.
(2) Before an execution is delivered on a judgment of a district court of this state, the amount of the judgment, or damages and costs, and the fees due to each person separately shall be entered in the docket and on the back of the execution. In any proceeding to enforce a judgment certified to a district court from the small claims department under *RCW 12.40.110, the execution shall include the amount of the judgment owed plus reasonable costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the judgment creditor in seeking enforcement of the judgment in district court.
(3) A writ shall require substantially as follows:
(a) If the execution is against the property of the judgment debtor, it shall require the officer to satisfy the judgment out of the personal property of the debtor unless an affidavit has been filed with the court pursuant to RCW 6.17.100, in which case it shall require that the judgment be satisfied out of the real property of the debtor.
(b) If the execution is against real or personal property in the hands of a personal representative, heir, devisee, legatee, tenant of real property, or trustee, it shall require the officer to satisfy the judgment out of such property.
(c) If the execution is for the delivery of real or personal property, it shall particularly describe the property and state its value and require the officer to deliver possession of it to the party entitled thereto, and may, at the same time, require the officer to satisfy any charges, damages, or rents and profits recovered by the same judgment, out of the personal property of the party against whom it was rendered. If the property described in the execution cannot be delivered, and if sufficient personal property cannot be found to satisfy the judgment, it shall be satisfied out of the real property of the party against whom the judgment was rendered.
(d) If the execution is to enforce obedience to any order, it shall particularly command what is required to be done or to be omitted.
(e) If the nature of the case requires it, the execution may embrace two or more of the requirements of this section.
(f) In all cases the execution shall require the collection of all interest, costs, and increased costs thereon.

NOTES:

*Reviser's note: RCW 12.40.110 was repealed by 2019 c 251 § 10.
Severability1988 c 231: See note following RCW 6.01.050.
Severability1981 c 329: See note following RCW 6.21.020.



Sheriff's duty on receiving writOrder of executing writs.

The sheriff or other officer shall indorse upon the writ of execution in ink, the day, hour, and minute when the writ first came into his or her hands, and the execution shall be returned with a report of proceedings under the writ within sixty days after its date to the clerk who issued it. When there are several writs of execution or of execution and attachment against the same debtor, they shall be executed in the order in which they were received by the sheriff.



Sheriff's execution and service of writSale dateNotice to judgment debtor.

When the writ of execution is against the property of the judgment debtor, the sheriff shall set the date of sale and serve on the debtor, in the same manner as service of a summons in a civil action, or cause to be transmitted by both regular mail and certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy of the writ, together with copies of RCW 6.13.010, 6.13.030, and 6.13.040 if real property is to be levied on, or copies of RCW 6.15.010 and 6.15.060 if personal property is to be levied on, and shall at the time of service, or with the mailing, notify the judgment debtor of the date of sale. If service on the judgment debtor must be effected by publication, only the following notice need be published under the caption of the case:
To . . . . . ., Judgment Debtor:
A writ of execution has been issued in the above-captioned case, directed to the sheriff of . . . . . . county, commanding the sheriff as follows:
"WHEREAS, . . . [Quoting body of writ of execution]."
The sale date has been set for . . . . . . . YOU MAY HAVE A RIGHT TO EXEMPT PROPERTY from the sale under statutes of this state, including sections 6.13.010, 6.13.030, 6.13.040, 6.15.010, and 6.15.060 of the Revised Code of Washington, in the manner described in those statutes.

NOTES:

Rules of court: CR 4.
Severability1988 c 231: See note following RCW 6.01.050.
Application1984 c 276: See note following RCW 6.21.020.



Sheriff's execution of writSatisfaction of judgmentProceeds to clerkDistribution of proceeds.

The sheriff shall, at a time as near before or after service of the writ on, or mailing of the writ to, the judgment debtor as is possible, execute the writ as follows:
(1) If property has been attached, the sheriff shall indorse on the execution, and pay to the clerk forthwith, if he or she has not already done so, the amount of the proceeds of sales of perishable property or debts due the defendant previously received, sufficient to satisfy the judgment.
(2) If the judgment is not then satisfied, and property has been attached and remains in custody, the sheriff shall sell the same, or sufficient thereof to satisfy the judgment. When property has been attached and it is probable that such property will not be sufficient to satisfy the judgment, the sheriff may, on instructions from the judgment creditor, levy on other property of the judgment debtor without delay.
(3) If then any portion of the judgment remains unsatisfied, or if no property has been attached or the same has been discharged, the sheriff shall levy on the property of the judgment debtor, sufficient to satisfy the judgment, in the manner described in RCW 6.17.160.
(4) If, after the judgment is satisfied, any property remains in custody, the sheriff shall deliver it to the judgment debtor.
(5) Until a levy, personal property shall not be affected by the execution.
(6) When property has been sold or debts received on execution, the sheriff shall pay the proceeds to the clerk who issued the writ, for satisfaction of the judgment as commanded in the writ or for payment of any excess proceeds to all interests in, or liens against, the property eliminated by the sale in the order of priority that the interest, lien, or claim attached to the property, as determined by the court. Any remaining proceeds shall be paid to the judgment debtor. No sheriff or other officer may retain any moneys collected on execution more than twenty days before paying the same to the clerk of the court who issued the writ.

NOTES:

Severability1988 c 231: See note following RCW 6.01.050.



Clerk's duty on receipt of execution proceeds.

Upon receipt of proceeds from the sheriff on execution, the clerk shall notify the party to whom the same is payable, and pay over the amount to that party as required by law. If any proceeds remain after satisfaction of the judgment, the clerk shall pay the excess to all interests in, or liens against, the property eliminated by the sale in the order of priority that the interest, lien, or claim attached to the property, as determined by the court. Any remaining proceeds shall be paid to the judgment debtor.



Sheriff's execution of writManner of levy.

The sheriff to whom the writ is directed and delivered shall execute the same without delay as follows:
(1) Real property, including a vendee's interests under a real estate contract, shall be levied on by recording a copy of the writ, together with a description of the property attached, with the recording officer of the county in which the real estate is situated.
(2) Personal property, capable of manual delivery, shall be levied on by taking into custody. If the property or any part of it may be concealed in a building or enclosure, the sheriff may publicly demand delivery of the property. If the property is not delivered and if the order of execution so directs, the sheriff may cause the building or enclosure to be broken open and take possession of the property.
(3) Shares of stock and other investment securities shall be levied on in accordance with the requirements of RCW 62A.8-112.
(4) A fund in court shall be levied on by leaving a copy of the writ with the clerk of the court with notice in writing specifying the fund.
(5) A franchise granted by a public or quasi-public corporation shall be levied on by (a) serving a copy of the writ on, or mailing it to, the judgment debtor as required by RCW 6.17.130 and (b) filing a copy of the writ in the office of the auditor of the county in which the franchise was granted together with a notice in writing that the franchise has been levied on to be sold, specifying the time and place of sale, the name of the owner, the amount of the judgment for which the franchise is to be sold, and the name of the judgment creditor.
(6) A vendor's interest under a real estate contract shall be levied on by (a) recording a copy of the writ, with descriptions of the contract and of the real property covered by the contract, with the recording officer of the county in which the real estate is located and (b) serving a copy of the writ, with a copy of the descriptions, on, or mailing the same to, the judgment debtor and the vendee under the contract in the manner as described in RCW 6.17.130.
(7) Other intangible personal property may be levied on by serving a copy of the writ on, or mailing it to, the judgment debtor in the manner as required by RCW 6.17.130, together with a description of the property. If the property is a claim on which suit has been commenced, a copy of the writ and of the description shall also be filed with the clerk of the court in which the suit is pending.
[ 2010 1st sp.s. c 26 § 1; 2007 c 37 § 1; 1988 c 231 § 12; 1987 c 442 § 416; 1927 c 100 § 1; 1886 p 42 § 13; RRS § 659. Prior: Code 1881 §§ 174-192; 1877 pp 35-40; 1873 pp 43-50; 1871 pp 9, 10; 1869 pp 41-47; 1863 pp 112-120; 1860 pp 30-36; 1854 pp 155-162. Formerly RCW 7.12.130.]

NOTES:

Severability1988 c 231: See note following RCW 6.01.050.
Sheriff's fees for service of process and other official services: RCW 36.18.040.



Levy on jointly owned real estate.

If a judgment debtor owns real estate jointly or in common with any other person, only the debtor's interest may be levied on and sold on execution, and the sheriff's notice of sale shall describe the extent of the debtor's interest to be sold as accurately as possible.



Levy on jointly owned personal property.

When a judgment debtor owns personal property jointly or in common with any other person, only the debtor's interest may be levied on and sold on execution, and the sheriff's notice of sale shall describe the extent of the debtor's interest as accurately as possible.
If the debtor's interest cannot be separately levied on, the sheriff shall take possession of the property unless the other person having an interest gives the sheriff a sufficient bond, with surety, conditioned to hold and manage the property according to law; and the sheriff shall then proceed to sell the interest of the defendant in such property. This section shall not be construed so as to deprive the joint or common owner of any interest in the property.



Retention of property by judgment debtorOn bond or approval of judgment creditor.

(1) After levy of execution upon personal property, the sheriff may permit the judgment debtor to retain possession of the property or any part of it until the day of sale, upon the debtor executing a written bond to the sheriff with sufficient surety, in double the value of such property, to the effect that it shall be delivered to the sheriff at the time and place of sale, and for nondelivery thereof, an action may be maintained upon such bond by the sheriff or the judgment creditor, or the judgment creditor may, on motion supported by affidavit that the property has not been delivered and the judgment remains unpaid, stating the amount unpaid, have judgment against the surety on the bond for the balance remaining due.
(2) In the alternative, the sheriff may appoint the judgment debtor as an agent to keep the property, without bond, upon written approval by the judgment creditor.

NOTES:

Severability1988 c 231: See note following RCW 6.01.050.