STATE: IDAHO

Interest Rate

• Legal: 12%
• Judgment: 10.125% as of July 1, 2006 (changes every July)

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 4
• Written Contract: 5
• Oral Contract: 4
• Domestic Judgment: 5 renewable
• Foreign Judgment: 6 renewable

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

Triple amount of check (minimum $100) up to $500 over the check amount.

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

See federal law.

STATE: HAWAII

Interest Rate

• Legal: 10%
• Judgment: 10% (no written contract)

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 6
• Written Contract: 6
• Sale of Goods: 4
• Domestic Judgment: 10
• Foreign Judgment: 6 for regis./10 after regis.

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

Damages equal to $100 or triple amount of check, not to exceed $500.

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

95% of 1st $100, 90% of 2nd $100, 80% net wages in excess of $200 per mo. or federal limits, whichever is greater.

STATE: GEORGIA

Interest Rate

• Legal: 7%
• Judgment: Prime + 3%
• Commercial Accounts: 18%

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 4
• Written Contract: 6
• Domestic Judgment: 7
• Foreign Judgment: 5

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

After 10 day written demand double damages up to $500 and service charge of $25 or 5%, whichever is greater.

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

See federal law. City, County & State employees may be garnished.

STATE: FLORIDA

Interest Rate

• Legal: 11% or up to 18% maximum contractual rate if so agreed.
• Judgment: 11%

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 4
• Written Contract: 5
• Domestic Judgment: 20 yr duration, if recorded acts as lien on non-homestead real property for 10 yrs; may be recorded for an additional 10 yrs. (Reflects current recording requirements)
• Foreign Judgment: Same duration as domestic if under F.S. 55.501 et seq.

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

Initially face value of check plus $25.00 – $40.00, depending upon amount of check, or %5 of value, whichever is greater. If suit is required, after 30 day demand, treble amount in addition to amount owed, bank & court costs & reasonable attorney fees.

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

FL has opted out of federal bankruptcy exemptions. 100% head of household. Liberal Homestead Exemption – Life insurance proceeds and/or cash value of policy, disability income, pension monies and retirement funds are exempt.

STATE: DELAWARE

Interest Rate

• Prejudgment interest at legal rate: 6% (as of 12/2002) or contractual rate.
• Post-judgment interest at legal or contract rate

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 4
• Sales of Goods (UCC): 4
• Written Contract: 3
• Promissory Notes: 6
• Personal Injury and Damage to Personal Property: 2
• Judgments: 10
• Justice of the Peace Court: 3
• Superior Court: 10

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

N/A

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

Wage garnishment may not exceed 15% of disposable earnings or reduce disposable earnings to less than $150.00 a week.

STATE: CONNECTICUT

Interest Rate

• Legal: 8%
• Judgment: 10% (Unless otherwise contracted)

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 6
• Written Contract: 6
• Oral Contract: 3
• Sale of Goods (UCC): 4
• Domestic Judgment: 20/25
• Small Claims (less than > $3500) Judgment: 10/15
• Foreign Judgment: 20

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

Personal liability of signatory on corporate claims unless signed in corporate capacity. Liability of drawer, if no account, damages equal to lesser of $750 or face amount of check. For insufficient of funds, lesser of $400 or face amount of check.

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

25% you may garnish disposable earnings each week, or 40 x fed. min hourly wage, which ever is less.

STATE: COLORADO

Interest Rate

• Legal: 8%
• Judgment: 8% (or higher if specified in contract or note)

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 3
• Written Contract: 6 (signed promissory note)
• Written Contract Goods Service: 3
• Domestic Judgment:
  – District Court-20 (renewable every 20)
  – County Court-6 (renewable every 6)
• Foreign Judgment: 6 in CO.

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

Treble damages & Reasonable Fees

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

See federal law.

STATE: CALIFORNIA

Interest Rate

• Legal: 10%
• Judgment: 10% (Unless otherwise contracted)

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 2 (no writing)
• Open Account: 4 (reduced to writing)
• Written Contract: 4
• Domestic Judgment: 10 (renewable at 10)
• Foreign Judgment: 10 (commencing with judgment debtor’s commencement of CA residence.)

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

Amount due, treble damages – minimum $100 maximum $1500 per check.

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

See federal law. Exemptions for necessities of life.

*California is a community property state

STATE: ARKANSAS

Interest Rate

• Legal: 6% of 5 points above the Fed. discount rate
• Judgment: Contract rate of 10% per annum, whichever is greater

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 3 (except medical which is 2 years)
• Written Contract: 5 (partial payment stops the statute from running)
• Sale of Goods (UCC-2): 4
• Domestic Judgment: 10 renewable
• Foreign Judgment: 10

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

Twice amount of check, prior to double charge, can start out with $25 charge per NSF check after 30 days.

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

$500 head of family; $200 single. Includes personal property except clothing. Homestead Exemptions: 1/4 acre plus home in city (urban). 80 acres plus home is country (rural).

STATE: ARIZONA

Interest Rate

• Legal: 10%
• Judgment: 10% or contractual

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)

• Open Account: 3
• Domestic Written Contract: 6
• Foreign Written Contract: 4
• Domestic Judgment: 5 (additional 5 upon request indefinitely)
• Foreign Judgment: 4

BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)

Twice the amount of check, costs of suit, reasonable attorney fees.

GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS

See federal law.