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Filing Bankruptcy in Idaho: Means Test, Exemptions and Courts

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

Quick answers for Idaho

Means test median income
1 person: $73,413; 2 people: $86,160; 3 people: $98,381; 4 people: $119,662; 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
Idaho filers must use Idaho's exemptions: a debtor "may exempt from property of the estate only such property as is specified under the laws of this state." Idaho Code § 11-609
Homestead exemption
Up to $175,000, with no limit on land area. Idaho Code § 55-1003
Bankruptcy court
Idaho is a single federal district; bankruptcy cases are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Idaho, which shares a website with the federal District Court (https://www.id.uscourts.gov). U.S. Courts, District of Idaho website

Last verified: 2026-10-27

Qualifying for Chapter 7

Means test median income1 person: $73,413; 2 people: $86,160; 3 people: $98,381; 4 people: $119,662; 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 exemptionsIdaho filers must use Idaho's exemptions: a debtor "may exempt from property of the estate only such property as is specified under the laws of this state."
Source: Idaho Code § 11-609
Homestead exemptionUp to $175,000, with no limit on land area.
Source: Idaho Code § 55-1003
Car exemptionOne motor vehicle up to $10,000.
Source: Idaho Code § 11-605(3)
Wildcard exemptionAny tangible personal property, up to $1,500 in aggregate value.
Source: Idaho Code § 11-605(10)
Retirement accountsPensions, annuities, retirement and disability allowances and other rights under employee benefit plans are exempt, including plans described in Internal Revenue Code sections 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), 408, 408A or 457; such plans are treated as spendthrift trusts. Federal government pension money is also exempt. Does not apply to child support collection.
Source: Idaho Code § 11-604A(2)-(5)
WagesEarned but unpaid wages and other pay for personal services are exempt up to $2,500 per calendar year. Separately, garnishment is limited to the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage.
11-207: https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title11/T11CH2/SECT11-207/
Source: Idaho Code §§ 11-605(11), 11-207(1)

Where and how to file

Bankruptcy courtIdaho is a single federal district; bankruptcy cases are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Idaho, which shares a website with the federal District Court (https://www.id.uscourts.gov).
Source: U.S. Courts, District of Idaho website
Filing without a lawyerThe court's website has a "Self Representation" section for bankruptcy filers without a lawyer.
Source: U.S. Courts, District of Idaho website
Standard Chapter 13 lawyer feeDistrict of Idaho (the state's only bankruptcy district): Bankruptcy Local Rule 2016-2 provides a presumptive fee for representing debtors in a chapter 13 case, covering all services rendered, or to be rendered, throughout the duration of the case, inclusive of all costs and expenses except filing fees; the fee may be reviewed and reduced or modified by the court after hearing. The rule's Advisory Committee Notes state that as of January 2024, General Order 437 establishes a $5,500 presumptive fee.
Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, D. Idaho, Bankruptcy Local Rule 2016-2 and Advisory Committee Notes (citing General Order 437)

Bankruptcy FAQ

Which bankruptcy court do I file in for Idaho?
Idaho is a single federal district; bankruptcy cases are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Idaho, which shares a website with the federal District Court (https://www.id.uscourts.gov).
What is the bankruptcy means test income limit in Idaho?
1 person: $73,413; 2 people: $86,160; 3 people: $98,381; 4 people: $119,662; 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 Idaho?
Idaho filers must use Idaho's exemptions: a debtor "may exempt from property of the estate only such property as is specified under the laws of this state."
How much home equity is protected in bankruptcy in Idaho?
Up to $175,000, with no limit on land area.
Can I keep my car in bankruptcy in Idaho?
One motor vehicle up to $10,000.
Does Idaho have a wildcard exemption?
Any tangible personal property, up to $1,500 in aggregate value.
Are retirement accounts protected in bankruptcy in Idaho?
Pensions, annuities, retirement and disability allowances and other rights under employee benefit plans are exempt, including plans described in Internal Revenue Code sections 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), 408, 408A or 457; such plans are treated as spendthrift trusts. Federal government pension money is also exempt. Does not apply to child support collection.
Are wages protected in bankruptcy in Idaho?
Earned but unpaid wages and other pay for personal services are exempt up to $2,500 per calendar year. Separately, garnishment is limited to the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage.
Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer in Idaho?
The court's website has a "Self Representation" section for bankruptcy filers without a lawyer.
How much does a Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer cost in Idaho?
District of Idaho (the state's only bankruptcy district): Bankruptcy Local Rule 2016-2 provides a presumptive fee for representing debtors in a chapter 13 case, covering all services rendered, or to be rendered, throughout the duration of the case, inclusive of all costs and expenses except filing fees; the fee may be reviewed and reduced or modified by the court after hearing. The rule's Advisory Committee Notes state that as of January 2024, General Order 437 establishes a $5,500 presumptive fee.

Bankruptcy in other states

More Idaho 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.