Missouri Laws on Wage Garnishments, Statute of Limitations on Debt and Bankruptcy Property Exemptions
WAGE GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS: 90% of weekly net earnings if head of household; if single without dependents, 75%
MAXIMUM INTEREST RATE: Legal: 9% Judgment: 9%
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON ENFORCEMENT:
Open Account (credit card): 5 years
Written Contract: 10 years
Domestic Judgment: 10 years (renewable every 3 years)
Foreign Judgment: 10 (renewable every 3 years)
BAD CHECK LAW DAMAGES: Three times check amount or $100 whichever is greater; not to exceed $500 plus attorney's fees
MISSOURI BANKRUPTCY PROPERTY EXEMPTIONS (Annotated Missouri Statutes):
The State of Missouri has exempted the property and income below from seizure by the bankruptcy court to pay creditors:
Real Property: Real property to $8,000 or mobile home to $1,000 (exemption cannot be doubled) [513.430(6) and 513.475]
Personal Property: Animals, appliances, books, clothing, crops, furnishings, household goods and musical instruments up to $1,000 total [413.430(1)]; motor vehicle up to $1,000 [513.430(5)]; implements, books and tools of trade up to $2,000 [513.430(4)]; jewelry up to $500 [513.430(2)]; burial grounds up to one acre or $100 [214.190]; health aids, unlimited amount [513.430(9)]; wrongful death recoveries, unlimited amount [513.430(11)]
How to Deal with Debt Collectors
Federal and State Laws Regarding Debt Collection
State Laws Regulating Wage Garnishments
Insurance / Annuities: Fraternal society benefits up to $5,000 is purchased more than six months before filing bankruptcy [513.430(8)]; disability or illness benefits, unlimited amount [513.430(10)(c)]; insurance premium proceeds, unlimited amount [377.090]; life insurance proceeds if policy owned by woman and insures her husband, unlimited amount [376.530]; life insurance proceeds if policy owned by unmarried woman and insures her father or brother, unlimited amount [376.550]; life insurance dividends, loan value or interest up to $5,000, if purchased more than six months before filing bankruptcy [513.430(8)]; unmatured life insurance policy, unlimited amount [513.430(7)]
Pensions / Retirement Plans: Municipal employees, unlimited amount [71.207]; state employees, unlimited amount [104.540]; teachers, unlimited amount [169.090]; firefighters, unlimited amount [87.090, 87.365, and 87.485]; police officers and police department employees, unlimited amount [86.190, 86.353, 86.493 and 86.780]; political officials and employees, unlimited amount [70.695]; retirement benefits, amount needed for support / only payments being received [513.430(10)(e)]
Public Benefits / Entitlements: Veterans' benefits, unlimited amount [513.430(10)(b)]; workers' compensation, unlimited amount [287.260]; aid to families with dependent children, unlimited amount [513.430(10)(a)]; social security, unlimited amount [513.430(10)(a)]; unemployment compensation, unlimited amount [513.430(10)(c)]
Wages: 75% of earned but unpaid wages (90% for head of family) [525.030]; wages of servant or common laborer to $90 [513.470]
Miscellaneous: Alimony or child support up to $500 per month [513.430(10)(d)]; any property up to $850 plus $250 per child if head of family, otherwise up to $400 [513.430(3) and 513.440]; business partnership property, unlimited amount [358.250]