Bankruptcy by State
Bankruptcy is federal law, but where you live decides what you can keep and whether you qualify for Chapter 7. Here is each state's means-test income figure, exemptions and court, linked to the official source.
Choose your state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Compare the states
- Standard (No-Look) Chapter 13 Lawyer Fees by Court
- Means Test Median Income in Every State
- State vs. Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions and Homestead Limits
- Wildcard Exemptions by State
Tools, guides and templates
Plain-English guides
- Can You File Bankruptcy on Student Loans?
- Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
- Do I Need a Lawyer for Bankruptcy?
- How Long Does Bankruptcy Stay on Your Credit Report?
- How Much Does a Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost?
- How Much Does It Cost to File Bankruptcy?
- How Often Can You File Bankruptcy?
- What Happens When You File for Bankruptcy?
- What Is Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
- What Is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13?
Chapter 7 is a liquidation: a trustee may sell non-exempt property to pay creditors, and most remaining qualifying debts are discharged. Chapter 13 is a repayment plan, usually lasting three to five years, that lets you keep property while paying creditors over time.
What is the means test?
The means test compares your household income to the median income for your state and household size. If your income is below the median, you generally qualify for Chapter 7; if above, further calculations decide whether you may file Chapter 7 or must use Chapter 13.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.