Bankruptcy Exemptions in Connecticut
What property you can keep in bankruptcy in Connecticut: homestead, vehicle, wildcard and retirement exemptions, and whether you can choose the federal exemptions.
Short answer: 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
| State or federal exemptions | Filers 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)). |
|---|---|
| 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 exemption | Up to two motor vehicles, $7,000 in aggregate value (fair market value minus liens). Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. 52-352b(10) |
| Wildcard exemption | Any property, up to $1,000 in value. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. 52-352b(18) |
| Retirement accounts | 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. |
| Wages | 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. 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) |
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FAQ
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.
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.