Bankruptcy Exemptions in Arizona
What property you can keep in bankruptcy in Arizona: homestead, vehicle, wildcard and retirement exemptions, and whether you can choose the federal exemptions.
Short answer: Arizona filers must use Arizona's exemptions: "residents of this state are not entitled to the federal exemptions provided in 11 U.S.C. 522 (d)." A.R.S. 33-1133(B)
| State or federal exemptions | Arizona filers must use Arizona's exemptions: "residents of this state are not entitled to the federal exemptions provided in 11 U.S.C. 522 (d)." Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. 33-1133(B) |
|---|---|
| Homestead exemption | Up to $400,000 in equity in the filer's home (house and land in one compact body, a condominium or cooperative, or a mobile home or other shelter plus its land). One exemption per married couple or single person. The amount is adjusted every January 1 for inflation starting in 2024. In bankruptcy, the exemption is measured as of the filing date. No acreage limit is stated. The current inflation-adjusted figure is not stated in the statute. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. 33-1101(A), (B), (D), (F) |
| Car exemption | Equity in one motor vehicle up to $15,000, or $25,000 if the filer or a dependent has a physical disability; adjusted every January 1 for inflation starting in 2024. The current inflation-adjusted figure is not stated in the statute. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. 33-1125(8) |
| Wildcard exemption | None. Arizona's exemption statutes list specific property types; no general exemption for property of the filer's choosing was found in A.R.S. 33-1125 or 33-1126. 33-1126(A)(9) separately protects $5,000 in one bank account (inflation-adjusted). Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. 33-1125, 33-1126 |
| Retirement accounts | Money or other assets in, or payable from, retirement plans under Internal Revenue Code sections 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), 408, 408A or 409, and 457 deferred compensation plans, are exempt from all creditors, including inherited interests. Amounts contributed within 120 days before filing bankruptcy are not exempt. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. 33-1126(B) |
| Wages | For most debts, no more than the lesser of 10% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 60 times the applicable minimum hourly wage can be taken, so at least 90% is protected. These limits do not apply to support orders or to orders of a bankruptcy court in a wage-earner (Chapter 13) plan, or to state or federal tax debts. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. 33-1131(B)-(D) |
More Arizona bankruptcy
FAQ
Can you use the federal bankruptcy exemptions in Arizona?
Arizona filers must use Arizona's exemptions: "residents of this state are not entitled to the federal exemptions provided in 11 U.S.C. 522 (d)."
How much home equity is protected in bankruptcy in Arizona?
Up to $400,000 in equity in the filer's home (house and land in one compact body, a condominium or cooperative, or a mobile home or other shelter plus its land). One exemption per married couple or single person. The amount is adjusted every January 1 for inflation starting in 2024. In bankruptcy, the exemption is measured as of the filing date.
Can I keep my car in bankruptcy in Arizona?
Equity in one motor vehicle up to $15,000, or $25,000 if the filer or a dependent has a physical disability; adjusted every January 1 for inflation starting in 2024.
Does Arizona have a wildcard exemption?
None. Arizona's exemption statutes list specific property types; no general exemption for property of the filer's choosing was found in A.R.S. 33-1125 or 33-1126.
Are retirement accounts protected in bankruptcy in Arizona?
Money or other assets in, or payable from, retirement plans under Internal Revenue Code sections 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), 408, 408A or 409, and 457 deferred compensation plans, are exempt from all creditors, including inherited interests. Amounts contributed within 120 days before filing bankruptcy are not exempt.
Are wages protected in bankruptcy in Arizona?
For most debts, no more than the lesser of 10% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 60 times the applicable minimum hourly wage can be taken, so at least 90% is protected. These limits do not apply to support orders or to orders of a bankruptcy court in a wage-earner (Chapter 13) plan, or to state or federal tax debts.
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.