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Filing Bankruptcy in Connecticut: Means Test, Exemptions and Courts

Bankruptcy in Connecticut: the means-test median income, which exemptions you can use, homestead, car and wildcard exemptions, retirement protection and the bankruptcy court.

Quick answers for Connecticut

Means test median income
1 person: $84,302; 2 people: $106,224; 3 people: $134,470; 4 people: $159,934; add $11,100 for each additional person over 4. U.S. Trustee Program, Census Bureau Median Family Income By Family Size (Cases Filed On or After July 15, 2026)
State or federal exemptions
Filers may choose either Connecticut's exemptions or the federal bankruptcy exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d). 11 U.S.C. 522(b)(1)-(3); Conn. Gen. Stat. ch. 906
Homestead exemption
$250,000 in equity (fair market value minus liens); $75,000 if the debt is a judgment arising from sexual abuse or exploitation of a minor, sexual assault, or other willful, wanton or reckless misconduct. Conn. Gen. Stat. 52-352b(21)
Bankruptcy court
Connecticut is a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (https://www.ctb.uscourts.gov). U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Connecticut website

Last verified: 2026-10-27

Qualifying for Chapter 7

Means test median income1 person: $84,302; 2 people: $106,224; 3 people: $134,470; 4 people: $159,934; add $11,100 for each additional person over 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026 (the Census median income data was last updated for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026).
The U.S. Trustee updates this table periodically; check https://www.justice.gov/ust/means-testing for the table in effect on the filing date. The table's one-person column is labeled "1 EARNER." Income at or below the median for the household size generally means the Chapter 7 means test's further calculations are not required.
Source: U.S. Trustee Program, Census Bureau Median Family Income By Family Size (Cases Filed On or After July 15, 2026)

What you can keep (exemptions)

State or federal exemptionsFilers may choose either Connecticut's exemptions or the federal bankruptcy exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d).
No Connecticut statute denying the federal exemptions was identified. Under 11 U.S.C. 522(b)(2), the federal list applies unless state law "specifically does not so authorize." Spouses filing together must both use the same system. Which state's exemptions apply depends on where the filer was domiciled for the 730 days before filing (522(b)(3)(A)).
Source: 11 U.S.C. 522(b)(1)-(3); Conn. Gen. Stat. ch. 906
Homestead exemption$250,000 in equity (fair market value minus liens); $75,000 if the debt is a judgment arising from sexual abuse or exploitation of a minor, sexual assault, or other willful, wanton or reckless misconduct.
The Connecticut Supreme Court held the $250,000 amount (P.A. 21-161) applies in bankruptcy proceedings started on or after Oct. 1, 2021 (347 Conn. 284, per the statute annotations). No acreage limit is stated.
Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. 52-352b(21)
Car exemptionUp to two motor vehicles, $7,000 in aggregate value (fair market value minus liens).
Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. 52-352b(10)
Wildcard exemptionAny property, up to $1,000 in value.
Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. 52-352b(18)
Retirement accountsInterests in, and payments from, qualified retirement plans (401, 403, 404, 409 and Keogh plans), IRAs (to the extent funded by rollovers or contributions within annual limits), SIMPLE plans, Roth IRAs, SEPs, government pension plans and certain group annuities are exempt from all creditors.
Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. 52-321a(a)(1); 52-352b(13)
WagesNo more than the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 40 times the higher of the federal or Connecticut minimum hourly wage can be taken by wage execution.
This is the post-judgment wage execution limit; Connecticut's exemption list has no separate bankruptcy-specific wage exemption.
Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. 52-361a(f)

Where and how to file

Bankruptcy courtConnecticut is a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (https://www.ctb.uscourts.gov).
Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Connecticut website
Filing without a lawyerThe court has a "Filing Without an Attorney" section, including a notice to self-represented filers, petition forms and filing guidelines for individuals, a Bankruptcy Pro Bono Program, and bankruptcy how-to guides. The Forms menu includes a Local Form Chapter 13 Plan.
Pro Bono Program: https://www.ctb.uscourts.gov/bankruptcy-pro-bono-program
Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Connecticut home page
Standard Chapter 13 lawyer feeDistrict of Connecticut (the state's only bankruptcy district): under Interim Local Bankruptcy Rule 2016-2(b), adopted by General Order 2024-02 (dated July 15, 2024), if a chapter 13 debtor's attorney seeks allowance of fees, excluding costs, for services rendered before confirmation in an amount equal to or less than the amount stated in Section 4.3 of the Local Form Chapter 13 Plan (Appendix E), filing Form B2030 (Disclosure of Compensation) is sufficient and an itemized fee application under 11 U.S.C. 330 is excused. The current Local Form Chapter 13 Plan sets that "no look" fee at $6,000.00 ("If the total of the Debtor's attorney's fees prior to entry of a confirmation order is $6,000.00 or less"). The prior $4,000.00 no look fee continues to apply in cases filed before General Order 2024-02 unless the presiding judge orders otherwise.
Local Rules with Appendix E (plan form stating the $6,000.00 figure): https://www.ctb.uscourts.gov/sites/ctb/files/Local%20Rules_2021%20Revisions%20with%20Appendices_appdixE-revisions_2025_09_12.pdf
Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, D. Conn., General Order 2024-02 (Interim Local Bankruptcy Rule 2016-2(b)); Local Rules with Appendix E, Local Form Chapter 13 Plan (revisions 2025-09-12)

Bankruptcy FAQ

Which bankruptcy court do I file in for Connecticut?
Connecticut is a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (https://www.ctb.uscourts.gov).
What is the bankruptcy means test income limit in Connecticut?
1 person: $84,302; 2 people: $106,224; 3 people: $134,470; 4 people: $159,934; add $11,100 for each additional person over 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026 (the Census median income data was last updated for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026).
Can you use the federal bankruptcy exemptions in Connecticut?
Filers may choose either Connecticut's exemptions or the federal bankruptcy exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d).
How much home equity is protected in bankruptcy in Connecticut?
$250,000 in equity (fair market value minus liens); $75,000 if the debt is a judgment arising from sexual abuse or exploitation of a minor, sexual assault, or other willful, wanton or reckless misconduct.
Can I keep my car in bankruptcy in Connecticut?
Up to two motor vehicles, $7,000 in aggregate value (fair market value minus liens).
Does Connecticut have a wildcard exemption?
Any property, up to $1,000 in value.
Are retirement accounts protected in bankruptcy in Connecticut?
Interests in, and payments from, qualified retirement plans (401, 403, 404, 409 and Keogh plans), IRAs (to the extent funded by rollovers or contributions within annual limits), SIMPLE plans, Roth IRAs, SEPs, government pension plans and certain group annuities are exempt from all creditors.
Are wages protected in bankruptcy in Connecticut?
No more than the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 40 times the higher of the federal or Connecticut minimum hourly wage can be taken by wage execution.
Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer in Connecticut?
The court has a "Filing Without an Attorney" section, including a notice to self-represented filers, petition forms and filing guidelines for individuals, a Bankruptcy Pro Bono Program, and bankruptcy how-to guides. The Forms menu includes a Local Form Chapter 13 Plan.
How much does a Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer cost in Connecticut?
District of Connecticut (the state's only bankruptcy district): under Interim Local Bankruptcy Rule 2016-2(b), adopted by General Order 2024-02 (dated July 15, 2024), if a chapter 13 debtor's attorney seeks allowance of fees, excluding costs, for services rendered before confirmation in an amount equal to or less than the amount stated in Section 4.3 of the Local Form Chapter 13 Plan (Appendix E), filing Form B2030 (Disclosure of Compensation) is sufficient and an itemized fee application under 11 U.S.C. 330 is excused. The current Local Form Chapter 13 Plan sets that "no look" fee at $6,000.00 ("If the total of the Debtor's attorney's fees prior to entry of a confirmation order is $6,000.00 or less"). The prior $4,000.00 no look fee continues to apply in cases filed before General Order 2024-02 unless the presiding judge orders otherwise.

Bankruptcy in other states

More Connecticut law

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.