Earnings and other income; wearing apparel and tools of certain persons

§ 15–503. Earnings and other income; wearing apparel and tools of certain persons (a) The earnings (other than wages, as defined in subchapter III of chapter 5 of Title 16), insurance, annuities, or pension or retirement payments, not otherwise exempted, not (o exceed $200 each month, of a person residing in the District of Columbia, or of a person who earns the major portions of his livelihood in the District of Columbia, regardless of place of residence, who provides the principal support of a family, for two months next preceding the issuing of any writ or process against him, from any court or officer of and in the District, are exempt from attachment, levy, seizure, or sale upon the process, and may not be seized, levied on, taken, reached, or sold by process or proceedings of any court, judge, or other officer of and in (he District. Where husband and wife are living together, the aggregate of the earnings, insurance, annuities, and pension or retirement payments of the husband and wife is the amount which shall be determinative of the exemption of either in cases arising ex contractu. (b) The earnings (other than wages, as defined in subchapter III of chapter 5 of Title 16), insurance, annuities, or pension or retirement payments, not otherwise exempt, not to exceed $60 each month for two months preceding the date of attachment of persons residing in the District, of Columbia, or of persons who earn the major portions of their livelihood in the District of Columbia, regardless of place of residence, who do not provide for the support of a family, are entitled to like exemption from attachment, levy, seizure, or sale. All wearing apparel belonging to such persons, not exceeding $300 in value, and mechanic’s tools not exceeding $200 in value, are also exempt. (c) A notice of claim of exemption, or motion to quash attachment or other process against exempt property or money, may be filed in the office of the clerk of the court either by the debtor, his spouse, or a garnishee. Thereupon, the court, after due notice, shall promptly act upon the notice, motion, or other claim of exemption.