STATE: TENNESSEE

Interest Rate

• Legal: 10%
• Judgment: 10% (or contract rate, whichever is greater)

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 6
• Written Contract: 6
• Domestic Judgment: 10
• Foreign Judgment: 10

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

Treble damages up to $500 + 10% interest & reasonable service charges, attorney fees.

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

See federal law. Add $2.50 per week for dependent child under 16.

STATE: SOUTH DAKOTA

Interest Rate

• Legal: 12%
• Judgment: 10

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 6
• Written Contract: 6
• Sales of Goods: 4
• Domestic Judgment: 10, renewable for 10
• Foreign Judgment: 10

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

N/A

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

20% of the individuals disposable earnings for a continuing lien.

STATE: SOUTH CAROLINA

Interest Rate

• Legal: 8.75%
• Judgment: 12.25% (Rate changes every year on January 15th. Wall Street Journal Prime plus 4%)

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 3
• Sale of Goods (UCC): 6
• Written Contract: 3
• Domestic Judgment: 10
• Foreign Judgment: 10
• Written Contract under Seal: 20

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

Reasonable court costs, amount of check & damages up to $500 or 3 x check amount, whichever is greater.

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

100% – Garnishment not available in SC.

STATE: RHODE ISLAND

Interest Rate

• Legal: 12%
• Judgment: 12%

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 10
• Written Contract: 10
• Domestic Judgment: 20
• Foreign Judgment: 20

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

Amount of check, $25 fee & treble damages up to $1000

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

See federal law.

STATE: PENNSYLVANIA

Interest Rate

• Legal: 6%
• Judgment: 6%

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 4
• Written Contract: 4
• Domestic Judgment: 5 (writ of revival within 5 years)
• Lien against real estate: 5 years
• Personal property Ex: 20 years
• Foreign Judgment: 4

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

N/A

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

100% of wages, certain pensions, retirement accounts & Keogh plan under certain circumstances, and $300.

STATE: OREGON

Interest Rate

• Statutory + Judgment: 9% simple interest per annum (unless specified by contract)

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 6
• Written Contract: 6
• Sale of Goods: 6 (4 years UCC Transaction)
• Domestic Judgment: 10 renewable at 10
• Foreign Judgment: 10

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

Can recover reasonable attorney fees & statutory damages of three times the amount of the NSF check plus $500 if demand letter is sent to debtor 30 days before suit is filed.

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

75% of disposable earnings or 40 x fed. min. hourly wage.

STATE: OKLAHOMA

Interest Rate

• Legal: 6%
• Judgment: 10.25% for 2007 (Rate changes on January 1st of each year and is two percentage points above the prime interest rate quoted in the Wall Street Jornal on the first business day of the year).

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Sale of Goods Governed by UCC: 5
• Open Account: 3
• Written Contract: 5
• Domestic Judgment: 5 renewable
• Foreign Judgment: 5 renewable

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

N/A

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

State law: 75% of earnings exempted, more if hardship established. All federal exemptions apply.

STATE: OHIO

Interest Rate

• Legal: 10%
• Judgment: 10%

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 6
• Written Contract: 15
• Sales Contract: (UCC2-725)
• Domestic Judgment: 21 renew every 5
• Foreign Judgment: 21 renew every 5

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

The greater of $200 or three times the amount of check and attorney fees (no maximum).

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

See federal law. Effective 03/30/99 Ohio allows continuing garnishments.

STATE: NORTH DAKOTA

Interest Rate

• Legal: 6%
• Judgment: 11.5%

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 6
• Written Contract: 6
• Sale of Goods: 4
• Domestic Judgment: 10 renewable
• Foreign Judgment: 10 renewable

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

Amount due, collection fees of $25, and civil penalty by civil action for lesser of $200 or 3x check. Effective 08/01/01.

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

Greater of 75% or amount each week = to 40 x fed. min. hourly wage plus $20.00 each household dependent.

STATE: NORTH CAROLINA

Interest Rate

• Legal: 8%
• Judgment: 8%

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 3
• Written Contract: 3
• Sale of Goods: 4
• Domestic Judgment: 10
• Foreign Judgment: 10

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

30 day written demand lesser of $500 or 3 x check amount, but not less than $100.

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

100% of last 60 days’ earnings for family support. Garnishment only by political subdivisions for taxes, ambulance fees, etc.