| Attention: All 94-bankruptcy
districts charge the same filing fees. Chapter 7: $299 Chapter 13: $274 |
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TEXAS EXEMPTION LISTRemember, you may use Federal Exemptions; however, you cannot mix and match exemptions from the federal bankruptcy code and state law. You must choose one system or the other! How to use this table of exemptions, by Attorney Thomas A. Prediletto. The following is a summary of the Texas exemptions that can be claimed (used) to exempt both your real and personal property in a bankruptcy petition. Texas residents may use either the Texas exemptions or the Federal exemptions; however, if your residence has not been continuously in the state of Texas for the two years prior to filing a bankruptcy petition, there are laws as whether you are able use the state versus federal exemptions. Exempt property of a debtor is property of the debtor that is not available to be used (sold) to pay his/her unsecured creditors and is not subject to the claims of unsecured creditors, but may be subject to the rights of secured creditors and lien holders. When reviewing the list for exemptions for your own property you should be aware that there may not be a “matching” exemption. Some state exemptions contain a “wildcard” which can be used if a matching exemption cannot be found in the list of exemptions. Also, an individual must own an interest in the property to claim the property as exempt. The debtor may exempt the equity (value of property less the total amount owed against it) however; any equity value in the property above the exemption amount may be subject to the claims of unsecured creditors. By way of example, if you own a home worth $250,000 and owe a total of $200,000 against it (combining all mortgage/home equity lines of credit and/or liens against the property) the amount of equity you would need to protect is $50,000. So long as the homestead exemption is more than $50,000 the full amount of the equity is exempt and not subject to the claims of your unsecured creditors. In the alternative, say the home is worth $250,000 and you only owe $100,000 against it, anything over the exemption amount is subject to the claims of the unsecured creditors. The same type example would apply to a motor vehicle, though the exemption for a motor vehicle is less than the amount of the exemption for a home. Please note that all of the exemptions may be doubled if a married couple is filing, with the exception of the homestead exemption. To view Texas exemption list and amounts available, click here or scroll down the page. To view Texas Codes, visit Justia US Laws - Texas Code. |
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| Description | LAW |
Max Individual Amount |
Max Joint Amount |
| Alcohol License | Tex. Alco. Bev. Code § 61.02 | UNLIMITED | |
| Alcohol Permits | Tex. Alco. Bev. Code § 11.03 | UNLIMITED | |
| Alimony, Support, Maintenance | Tex. Prop. Code § 42.001(b)(3) | UNLIMITED | |
| Athletic, Sporting Equip (subject to aggr. pers. prop. limits) | TPC §§ 42.001(a), 42.002(a)(8) | UNLIMITED | |
| Benefits Under Texas Employees Group Benefits Act | Ins. Code Sec. 1551.011 | UNLIMITED | |
| Burial Lots | TPC § 41.001(a) | UNLIMITED | |
| Certain Insurance and Annuity Benefits | Ins. Code § 1108.051 | UNLIMITED | |
| Church Benefit Plans | Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. Art. 1407a | UNLIMITED | |
| Church Benefit Plans | Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. Art. 1407a | UNLIMITED | |
| Coop. Ass'n Shares and Membership Certificates | Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code § 251.204 | UNLIMITED | |
| Crime Victims Compensation | TCPR § 56.49 | UNLIMITED | |
| Farm Animals (subject to aggregate personal property limits) | TPC §§ 42.001(a), 42.002(a)(10) | UNLIMITED | |
| Farming Vehicle & Implements(subject to aggr. pers. prop. limits) | TPC §§ 42.001(a), 42.002(a)(3) | UNLIMITED | |
| Firearms - Two | TPC §§ 42.001(a), 42.002(a)(7) | UNLIMITED | |
| Fraternal Benefit Society Benefits | Ins. Code Sec. 885.316 | UNLIMITED | |
| Health Aids | TPC § 42.001(b)(2) | UNLIMITED | |
| Homestead | Tex. Const. Art. 16, §§ 50, 51 Code §§ 41.001, 41.002 | UNLIMITED | |
| Homestead - Sale Proceeds | TPC § 41.001(c) | UNLIMITED | |
| Household Furn., Heirlooms(subject to aggr. pers. prop. limits) | TPC §§ 41.001(a), 42.002(a)(1) | UNLIMITED | |
| Household Pets (subject to aggregate persnl | TPC §§ 42.001(a), 42.002(a)(11) | UNLIMITED | |
| Jewelry | TPC §§ 42.001(a), 42.002(a)(6) | $15,000.00 | $30,000.00 |
| Life Insurance Benefits - State U. Employee | Ins. Code § 1601.008 | UNLIMITED | |
| Medical Assistance Payments To Needy | Texas Hum. Res. Code § 32.036 | UNLIMITED | |
| Motor Vehicle (subject to aggregate personal property limits) | TPC §§ 42.001(a), 42.002(a)(9) | UNLIMITED | |
| Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Deposits | Tex. Transp. Code § 601.122 | UNLIMITED | |
| Personal property owned by single adult not in family | Tex. Const. Art. XVI, § 49; Code §§ 42.001(a), (d),42.002 | $30,000.00 | $60,000.00 |
| Personal property provided for family under §42.002 | Tex. Const. Art. XVI, § 49; Code §§ 42.001(a), (d),42.002 | $60,000.00 | $120,000.00 |
| Personal Services - Unpaid Commission | TPC § 42.001(d) | UNLIMITED | |
| Personal Services - Wages | TPC § 42.001(b)(1) | UNLIMITED | |
| Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Program | Tex. Educ. Code § 54.639 | UNLIMITED | |
| Provisions For Consumption (subject to aggr. pers. prop. limits) | TPC §§ 42.001(a), 42.002(a)(2) | UNLIMITED | |
| Public Assistance Benefits | Texas Hum. Res. Code § 31.040 | UNLIMITED | |
| Public Officers Survivors Benefits | TGC 615.005 | UNLIMITED | |
| Public School Employees Insurance Benefits | Ins. Code § 1575.006 | UNLIMITED | |
| Retirement Benefits | TPC § 42.0021 | UNLIMITED | |
| Retirement Benefits - Judicial | TGC § 831.004, 836.004 | UNLIMITED | |
| Retirement Benefits - Municipal Employees | TGC § 851.006, Tex. Rev. Stat. Art. 6243n | UNLIMITED | |
| Retirement Benefits - Police, Firemen | Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Arts. 6243d-1§ 17 | UNLIMITED | |
| Retirement Benefits - State Employees | TGC § 811.005 | UNLIMITED | |
| Retirement Benefits - Teacher | TGC § 821.005 | UNLIMITED | |
| Retirement/Pension Benefits - County | TGC § 841.006 | UNLIMITED | |
| Specific Partnership Property | Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Art. 6132a-1, Sec. 7.03(d) | UNLIMITED | |
| Tools Of Trade - Books, Equip(subject to aggr. pers. prop. limit) | TPC §§ 42.001(a), 42.002(a)(4) | UNLIMITED | |
| Unemployment Compensation Benefits | TLC § 207.075 | UNLIMITED | |
| Wearing Apparel (subject to aggregate personal prop. limits) | TPC §§ 42.001(a), 42.002(a)(5) | UNLIMITED | |
| Workmen's Compensation Benefits | TLC § 408.201, 408.202 | UNLIMITED |
