Baker v. Baker

This appeal was certified to this court by the Court of Appeals, Division One. It involves a determination of whether monthly United States Naval retirement payments constitute annuity contract benefits under RCW 48.18.430. This statute permits garnishment of annuity contract benefits to the extent that the aggregate amount exceeds $250 per month. We hold that such retirement payments are not annuity contract benefits under the statute.

Respondent, Betty Baker, is a judgment creditor of her former husband, Albert Baker, a retired Navy Commander, for the following amounts: $9,720.82 in past due…