Bankruptcy Exemption Calculator 2026 — All 50 States
Bankruptcy exemptions are the most state-dependent aspect of bankruptcy law. They determine which assets you can keep after filing Chapter 7 and set the minimum creditor payment floor in Chapter 13 plans. Exemption amounts range enormously: homestead protections vary from $0 in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to fully unlimited in Texas, Florida, Kansas, and several other states.
This calculator lets you enter the current value of your home, vehicle, retirement accounts, bank accounts, and personal property to see which assets are protected under your state's 2026 exemption laws and which assets a trustee could potentially liquidate in a Chapter 7 case. The table below provides a quick comparison across all 50 states. Click any state for a full exemption breakdown and state-specific FAQ.
2026 Key Bankruptcy Exemptions by State
| State | Homestead Exemption | Vehicle Exemption | Wildcard Exemption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $15,000 | $7,500 | $6,000 |
| Alaska | $72,900 | $4,050 | $3,000 |
| Arizona | $250,000 | $6,000 | $0 |
| Arkansas | Unlimited | $1,200 | $500 |
| California | $300,000 | $3,325 | $1,550 |
| Colorado | $250,000 | $15,000 | $0 |
| Connecticut | $75,000 | $3,500 | $1,000 |
| Delaware | $0 | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| Florida | Unlimited | $1,000 | $4,000 |
| Georgia | $21,500 | $5,000 | $1,500 |
| Hawaii | $30,000 | $2,575 | $1,000 |
| Idaho | $100,000 | $10,000 | $800 |
| Illinois | $15,000 | $2,400 | $4,000 |
| Indiana | $19,300 | $10,250 | $10,250 |
| Iowa | Unlimited | $7,000 | $200 |
| Kansas | Unlimited | $20,000 | $0 |
| Kentucky | $5,000 | $2,500 | $1,000 |
| Louisiana | $35,000 | $7,500 | $0 |
| Maine | $47,500 | $5,000 | $400 |
| Maryland | $0 | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| Massachusetts | $500,000 | $7,500 | $1,000 |
| Michigan | $40,475 | $4,250 | $1,525 |
| Minnesota | $480,000 | $5,000 | $1,200 |
| Mississippi | $75,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Missouri | $15,000 | $3,000 | $1,250 |
| Montana | $250,000 | $4,000 | $400 |
| Nebraska | $60,000 | $5,000 | $2,500 |
| Nevada | $605,000 | $15,000 | $10,000 |
| New Hampshire | $120,000 | $10,000 | $1,000 |
| New Jersey | $0 | None | $1,000 |
| New Mexico | $60,000 | $4,000 | $500 |
| New York | $89,975 | $4,825 | $1,175 |
| North Carolina | $35,000 | $3,500 | $5,000 |
| North Dakota | $100,000 | $7,500 | $7,500 |
| Ohio | $161,375 | $4,450 | $1,325 |
| Oklahoma | Unlimited | $7,500 | $0 |
| Oregon | $40,000 | $3,000 | $400 |
| Pennsylvania | $0 | None | $300 |
| Rhode Island | $500,000 | $12,000 | $8,600 |
| South Carolina | $58,255 | $5,825 | $6,325 |
| South Dakota | Unlimited | $7,000 | $7,000 |
| Tennessee | $5,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Texas | Unlimited | $30,000 | $0 |
| Utah | $42,700 | $3,250 | $0 |
| Vermont | $125,000 | $2,500 | $700 |
| Virginia | $25,000 | $6,000 | $5,000 |
| Washington | $125,000 | $3,250 | $3,000 |
| West Virginia | $25,000 | $5,000 | $1,000 |
| Wisconsin | $75,000 | $4,000 | $5,000 |
| Wyoming | $20,000 | $5,000 | $2,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bankruptcy exemption?
A bankruptcy exemption is a legal protection that shields a specific type and amount of asset from your bankruptcy estate. Assets covered by exemptions cannot be liquidated by the Chapter 7 trustee and do not count against you in a Chapter 13 plan. Common exemption categories include homestead (home equity), vehicle, retirement accounts, tools of the trade, household goods, jewelry, and a wildcard that can apply to any asset. Each state sets its own exemption amounts, and some states also let you choose between state and federal exemption schedules.
What is a wildcard exemption?
A wildcard exemption is a flexible dollar amount you can apply to any asset of your choosing — it is not tied to a specific asset category. For example, if your state has a $5,000 wildcard, you could use it to protect a boat, cash savings, or any other asset that does not have its own specific exemption. Some states allow the unused portion of the homestead exemption to be used as a wildcard. Wildcard amounts range from $0 (Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana) to $25,000 (Delaware, Indiana).
Can I protect my home in bankruptcy?
Whether you can protect your home depends on your state's homestead exemption and your home equity. If your equity (home value minus mortgage balance) is within your state's exemption limit, the trustee cannot force a sale in Chapter 7. States like Texas and Florida offer unlimited homestead protection. States like Illinois and Kentucky offer only $15,000 or $5,000. In Chapter 13, you can keep a home with any amount of equity as long as you continue payments and your plan pays unsecured creditors the value of non-exempt equity.