EXEMPTION LAWS.
Before starting a suit to collect money due you, carefully read up on
the exemption laws of your State. After carefully considering the
matter you will find that a judgment, if obtained, will avail you
nothing, should the debtor elect to take advantage of the exemption
allowed him by law.
Some States are very liberal in the amount of property a man may hold
which is exempt from execution on a judgment for indebtedness. Take for
instance, the State of North Dakota, where the head of a family may hold
a homestead and personal property to the value of $6,450, and in case
the head of the family should die, and was insured, the widow and
children could hold an additional $5,000 of life insurance money, making
a total exemption of $11,450.
Delaware is the only State that has made a special provision for
physicians in any manner. Here the statutes provide that a physician's
bill shall be a preferred claim for services in the last illness of the
patient.
In nearly all States the exemption runs to the widow and minor children.
This is so general a rule that I have not included that part of the
statutes covering this phase of the law. There is no exemption against
money due on mortgages, for the purchase price of property, for manual
labor or taxes. Tennessee also provides that there shall be no exemption
on fines for failure to work the roads, for voting out of the district
the voter lives in, for carrying concealed weapons, or for giving away
or selling intoxicating liquors on election day.
Rhode Island exempts wages due or accruing to seamen.
Pennsylvania does not exempt the homestead, and personal property to the
value of three hundred dollars only is exempt. The chances to collect a
bill in Pennsylvania are better than in any other State, so far as the
exemption laws are concerned.
Oregon exempts one gun or revolver to each white citizen over sixteen
years of age, in addition to the other exemptions.
Public buildings owned by the State or municipality are always exempt.
Other buildings are not exempt against liens for material or labor used
in their construction.
The exempt property may be selected by the debtor, or on his failure to
make such selection, some States permit the wife to make the selection,
but in case no selection is made, the proper officer will make the
selection for them.
The exemption of estates generally runs until the youngest child is of
age. Judgments usually expire in twenty years or less if not renewed.
Hence you will see that the attorney's fees that you will have to pay to
secure judgment will generally be worth more to you than the judgment,
if you have to wait so many years to satisfy it.