Bankruptcy homestead exemptions by state
How much home equity you can protect in bankruptcy in each state, and whether you can use the federal exemption list instead.
General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Rules have exceptions; open your state for details and the law it comes from.
| State | Homestead exemption | Federal list allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama From a statute-cited table | $18,800 ($56,400 if 62+ or disabled); up to 160 acres | No - state exemptions only |
| Alaska From a statute-cited table | $72,900 | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| Arizona From a statute-cited table | $400,000 (adjusted for inflation each year) | No - state exemptions only |
| Arkansas From a statute-cited table | Unlimited value; 1/4 to 1 acre in town, 80 to 160 acres rural (married or head of family) | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| California From a statute-cited table | $300,000 to $600,000, based on county median home price | No - state exemptions only |
| Colorado From a statute-cited table | $250,000 ($350,000 if 60+ or disabled) | No - state exemptions only |
| Connecticut From a statute-cited table | $250,000 | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| Delaware From a statute-cited table | $200,000 (bankruptcy only) | No - state exemptions only |
| District of Columbia From a statute-cited table | Unlimited (residence of a head of family or householder) | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| Florida From a statute-cited table | Unlimited value; 1/2 acre in a city, 160 acres outside | No - state exemptions only |
| Georgia From a statute-cited table | $50,000 in bankruptcy ($100,000 if a married debtor holds sole title) | No - state exemptions only |
| Hawaii From a statute-cited table | $20,000 ($30,000 for head of family or owner 65+) | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| Idaho From a statute-cited table | $175,000 | No - state exemptions only |
| Illinois From a statute-cited table | $50,000 ($100,000 for joint owners) | No - state exemptions only |
| Indiana From a statute-cited table | $22,750 ($45,500 for spouses owning together) | No - state exemptions only |
| Iowa From a statute-cited table | Unlimited value; 1/2 acre in a city, 40 acres rural | No - state exemptions only |
| Kansas From a statute-cited table | Unlimited value; 1 acre in town, 160 acres rural | No - state exemptions only |
| Kentucky From a statute-cited table | $5,000 | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| Louisiana From a statute-cited table | $35,000; 5 acres in a city, 200 acres elsewhere | No - state exemptions only |
| Maine From a statute-cited table | $80,000 ($160,000 with minor dependents or owner 60+ or disabled) | No - state exemptions only |
| Maryland From a statute-cited table | $31,575 (bankruptcy only; matches the federal figure) | No - state exemptions only |
| Massachusetts From a statute-cited table | $125,000 automatic; $1,000,000 with a recorded declaration | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| Michigan From a statute-cited table | $51,150 in bankruptcy ($76,725 if 65+ or disabled) | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| Minnesota From a statute-cited table | $540,000 ($1,350,000 agricultural) | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| Mississippi From a statute-cited table | $75,000; up to 160 acres | No - state exemptions only |
| Missouri From a statute-cited table | $15,000 ($40,000 from Jan. 1, 2027) | No - state exemptions only |
| Montana From a statute-cited table | About $425,000 (rises 4% each Jan. 1); declaration must be recorded | No - state exemptions only |
| Nebraska From a statute-cited table | $120,000 | No - state exemptions only |
| Nevada From a statute-cited table | $605,000; declaration must be recorded | No - state exemptions only |
| New Hampshire From a statute-cited table | $400,000 | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| New Jersey From a statute-cited table | No state homestead exemption (federal exemptions available) | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| New Mexico From a statute-cited table | $150,000 | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| New York From a statute-cited table | $102,400 to $204,825 depending on county | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| North Carolina From a statute-cited table | $35,000 per debtor ($60,000 for some debtors 65+) | No - state exemptions only |
| North Dakota From a statute-cited table | $150,000 | No - state exemptions only |
| Ohio From a statute-cited table | $182,625 | No - state exemptions only |
| Oklahoma From a statute-cited table | Unlimited value; 1 acre in town, 160 acres rural | No - state exemptions only |
| Oregon From a statute-cited table | $158,300 ($316,700 if two or more household members are debtors) | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| Pennsylvania From a statute-cited table | No state homestead exemption (federal exemptions available) | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| Rhode Island From a statute-cited table | $500,000 | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| South Carolina From a statute-cited table | $80,125 ($160,250 for multiple owners) | No - state exemptions only |
| South Dakota From a statute-cited table | Unlimited value; 1 acre in town, 160 acres rural ($170,000 if 70+) | No - state exemptions only |
| Tennessee From a statute-cited table | $35,000 ($52,500 for joint owners) | No - state exemptions only |
| Texas From a statute-cited table | Unlimited value; 10 acres urban, 100 or 200 acres rural | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| Utah From a statute-cited table | $53,700 ($107,500 per household); declaration required | No - state exemptions only |
| Vermont From a statute-cited table | $125,000 | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| Virginia From a statute-cited table | $50,000 plus other amounts; homestead deed must be recorded | No - state exemptions only |
| Washington From a statute-cited table | Greater of $125,000 or the county median sale price | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| West Virginia Under review | $35,000 in bankruptcy | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| Wisconsin From a statute-cited table | $75,000 ($150,000 for married couples) | Yes - you may choose the federal list instead |
| Wyoming From a statute-cited table | $100,000 ($200,000 for joint owner-occupants) | No - state exemptions only |
How we checked this
Homestead amounts come from a 2026 law-firm chart that cites each statute. The list of states allowing the federal exemptions was compared across two 2026 sources. Federal law can cap a homestead bought within 1,215 days of filing, and you must usually have lived in the state 730 days to use its exemptions. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.
Cross-checked sources agree Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site From a statute-cited table one detailed source Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.