What Creditors Cannot Take
W. Va. Code § 38-8-1 — a car, household goods, tools, a little cash and retirement accounts, up to $15,000 in all
| Property | Exempt up to |
|---|---|
| PropertyOne motor vehicle | Exempt up to$5,000 |
| PropertyHousehold goods, furniture, appliances, books and clothing | Exempt up to$8,000 in all |
| PropertyTools and books of the trade | Exempt up to$3,000 |
| PropertyMoney in a federally insured bank | Exempt up to$1,100 |
| PropertyAn IRA or SEP | Exempt up toFully, apart from excess contributions |
A resident may set those apart as exempt from execution, but not more than $15,000 in the aggregate across the car, household goods, tools and bank money.
Wages are exempt only to the extent the garnishment article sets. A particular judgment is a question for a licensed West Virginia attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- W. Va. Code § 38-8-1 — Exemptions of personal property
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed West Virginia attorney.