§ 38-8-3. Method of claiming exemption on personal property

Codes > Code of West Virginia > Chapter 38 > Article 8 > 38-8-3. Method

38-8-3. Method of claiming exemption on personal property

When a debtor claims personal property as exempt under the provisions of this article, he or she shall deliver to the officer holding the execution or other process, a list by separate items with the fair market value of each item, according to the belief of the debtor, of all personal property and estate owned or claimed by the debtor, including money, bonds, bills, notes, claims and demands, along with the address of the person so indebted. The list shall also set forth with respect to each item of personal property and estate the name and address of the holder of and the current amount owing on each lien thereon other than judicial liens obtained by legal or equitable proceedings. The debtor shall verify such list, valuation and lien indebtedness by affidavit, which affidavit shall also show that the debtor is entitled to the exemption, and shall specify the character in which he claims to be so entitled, as for example, that he is a husband. If the value of the property named in the list exceeds, as stated therein, the maximum allowed amounts set forth in section one of this article, the debtor shall state at the foot thereof what part of the property he claims as exempt, but if such value does not exceed the allowed amount, as so stated, the claim of exemption shall be held to extend to the whole thereof without stating more; and if no appraisement thereof be demanded, as hereinafter provided, the property so claimed shall be set apart to the debtor as exempt. If the husband, wife, parent or other head of a household owning such property be absent, or incapable of acting, or neglect or decline to act, the claim may be made, the list delivered, and the affidavit made by another member of the family, with the same effect as if made by the owner, and the claim may be made, the list delivered, and the affidavit made on behalf of infant children by the guardian thereof or someone standing in loco parentis thereto. The officer shall immediately, upon receipt of the list, exhibit the same to the creditor, his or her agent or attorney.