The following is a summary of the Federal exemptions that can be claimed
(used) to exempt both real and personal property in your bankruptcy
petition. 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. The Federal 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
$240,000 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 $10,000. Since the homestead exemption in the Federal exemptions
is $23,675.00 the equity of $10,000 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 $200,000 against it, the first $25,150.00 would be protected
under the homestead exemption and the remaining $22,485 would be 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, if you need to use the wildcard exemptions to protect any of
your property and have equity in a home, the amount of wildcard exemption
will be reduced by the amount of equity in the home and therefore you may
not be able to use the wildcard if you have a lot of equity in your home.
Federal wildcard exemption allows up to $1,350 plus $12,575.00 of unused Debtors
Interest In Real/Pers. Property to exempt any property of your choosing.
Federal exemptions are subject to change every three (3) years, last change April 1, 2019.
|
Description
|
LAW |
Max
Individual Amount
|
Max
Joint Amount
|
| Alimony, Support |
11 USC § 522(d)(10)(D) |
UNLIMITED |
|
|
Any property (up to $1,250 + $11,850 of
unused homestead)
|
11 USC § 522(d)(5) |
See Description |
| Crime Victims Reparation Law Benefits |
11 USC § 522(d)(11)(A) |
UNLIMITED |
|
| Debtors Interest In Real/Pers. Property |
11 USC § 522(d)(1) |
$23,675.00 |
$47,350.00 |
| Disability, Illness, Unempl. Benefits |
11 USC § 522(d)(10)(C) |
UNLIMITED |
|
| Future Earnings Compensation Payments |
11 USC § 522(d)(11)(E) |
UNLIMITED |
|
| Health Aids |
11 USC § 522(d)(9) |
UNLIMITED |
|
| Household Furnishings |
11 USC § 522(d)(3) |
$13,400.00 |
$26,800.00 |
| Jewelry |
11 USC § 522(d)(4) |
$1,700.00 |
$3,400.00 |
| Life Insurance - Unmatured |
11 USC § 522(d)(7) |
UNLIMITED |
|
| Life Insurance Payments |
11 USC § 522(d)(11)(C) |
UNLIMITED |
|
| Life Insurance Proceeds - Unmatured |
11 USC § 522(d)(8) |
$13,400.00 |
$26,800.00 |
| Motor Vehicle |
11 USC § 522(d)(2) |
$4,000.00 |
$8,000.00 |
| Personal Injury Payments |
11 USC § 522(d)(11)(D) |
$25,150.00 |
$50,300.00 |
| Retirement Funds Exempt From Taxation |
11 USC § 522(d)(12) |
UNLIMITED |
|
| IRAs and Roth IRAs |
11 USC § 522(d)(12) |
$1,362,800.00 |
$2,725,600.00 |
| Social Security Or Unemployment Benefits |
11 USC § 522(d)(10)(A) |
UNLIMITED |
|
| Stock Bonus, Pension, Annuity Payment |
11 USC § 522(d)(10)(E) |
UNLIMITED |
|
| Tenant By The Entirety |
11 USC § 522(b)(3)(B) |
UNLIMITED |
|
| Tools Of Trade - Books, Equipment |
11 USC §522(d)(6) |
$2,225.00 |
$4,450.00 |
| Veteran's Benefits |
11 USC § 522(d)(10)(B) |
UNLIMITED |
|
| Wrongful Death Payments |
11 USC § 522(d)(11)(B) |
UNLIMITED |
|
