Filing Bankruptcy in District of Columbia: Means Test, Exemptions and Courts

The District of Columbia is a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia (https://www.dcb.uscourts.gov).

1 person: $85,391; 2 people: $161,397; 3 people: $161,397; 4 people: $166,598; 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).

Filers may choose either the D.C. exemptions or the federal bankruptcy exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d).

The debtor's aggregate interest in real property used as the residence of the debtor or a dependent (or in a cooperative or burial plot), with no dollar limit stated; it does not impair a deed of trust, mortgage, mechanic's lien or tax lien.

The debtor's interest in one motor vehicle, up to $2,575.

Any property up to $850, plus up to $8,075 of any unused amount of the residence exemption in paragraph (14).

Money or assets in, or payable from, retirement plans qualified under Internal Revenue Code sections 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), 408, 408A, 414(d) or 414(e) are exempt (with exceptions, including claims of the District of Columbia and excess contributions). Payments under pension and similar plans are also exempt to the extent reasonably necessary for support.

A wage attachment can reach only 25% of the amount by which weekly disposable wages exceed 40 times the D.C. minimum hourly wage. Separately, other earnings, insurance, annuity and pension payments of up to $200 a month (principal family provider) or $60 a month (others) for the two months before process are exempt.

The court has a "Parties Who Have No Attorney" page, a "Where Can I Get Help?" page, a "What Do I Need to File?" page, a page for creditors without an attorney, and an eSR link.

District of Columbia (one bankruptcy court): under Local Bankruptcy Rule 2016-2(a) (local rules effective February 1, 2026), total compensation for debtor's attorney of $6,750.00 or less per chapter 13 case, whether individual or joint, is presumed reasonable under 11 U.S.C. 329 and allowable under 11 U.S.C. 330, without a detailed fee application. If the chapter 13 trustee requires the debtor to file a business report, or the debtor holds a controlling interest in a corporation or LLC operating a business, the presumptively reasonable amount is $7,750.00 or less per case. Debtor's attorney may also receive expenses, including the filing fee and up to $150.00 in other estimated expenses. The presumptive fee covers, at a minimum, counseling the debtor, verifying identity and eligibility, preparing and filing the petition, schedules, statement of financial affairs, plan and all amendments, serving plans, attending the meeting of creditors, confirmation hearing(s) and other required hearings, and pre-confirmation motions, among other listed services; adversary proceedings, appeals and U.S. Trustee audits may be excepted if stated in the Rule 2016(b) disclosure. The rule says the amounts are periodically reviewed and adjusted by General Order.