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Filing Bankruptcy in Kansas: Means Test, Exemptions and Courts

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

Quick answers for Kansas

Means test median income
1 person: $69,197; 2 people: $87,441; 3 people: $103,852; 4 people: $125,971; 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
Kansas filers must use Kansas exemptions; no individual debtor may elect the federal exemption list. Kansas does allow filers to add the federal benefits exemption in 11 U.S.C. K.S.A. 60-2312(a)-(b)
Homestead exemption
No dollar limit. Up to 160 acres of farming land, or one acre within an incorporated town or city, or a manufactured or mobile home, occupied as a residence by the owner or the owner's family. K.S.A. 60-2301
Bankruptcy court
Kansas is a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas (https://www.ksb.uscourts.gov). U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Kansas website

Last verified: 2026-10-27

Qualifying for Chapter 7

Means test median income1 person: $69,197; 2 people: $87,441; 3 people: $103,852; 4 people: $125,971; 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 exemptionsKansas filers must use Kansas exemptions; no individual debtor may elect the federal exemption list. Kansas does allow filers to add the federal benefits exemption in 11 U.S.C. 522(d)(10) (Social Security, unemployment, disability, alimony/support and certain pension payments) on top of state exemptions.
Source: K.S.A. 60-2312(a)-(b)
Homestead exemptionNo dollar limit. Up to 160 acres of farming land, or one acre within an incorporated town or city, or a manufactured or mobile home, occupied as a residence by the owner or the owner's family. Does not protect against taxes, purchase-money obligations or improvement liens.
Federal law (11 U.S.C. 522(p)) can cap a homestead interest acquired within 1,215 days before filing.
Source: K.S.A. 60-2301
Car exemptionThe debtor's interest in one means of conveyance regularly used for transportation (including to and from work), up to $20,000; no value limit for a vehicle designed or equipped for a person with a disability.
Source: K.S.A. 60-2304(c)
Wildcard exemptionNone. Kansas's personal property exemptions (K.S.A. 60-2304) cover specific property types; no general exemption for property of the filer's choosing was found.
Source: K.S.A. 60-2304
Retirement accountsMoney or assets in, or payable from, retirement plans qualified under Internal Revenue Code sections 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), 408, 408A or 409 are exempt from all creditors and are treated as spendthrift trusts; not exempt against alternate payees under a qualified domestic relations order or certain child support orders. Federal pension money received within three months is also protected if needed for support.
Source: K.S.A. 60-2308(a)-(c)
WagesGarnishment may not exceed the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings, the amount above 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage, or the creditor's claim.
This is the garnishment limit, not a separate bankruptcy wage exemption.
Source: K.S.A. 60-2310(b)

Where and how to file

Bankruptcy courtKansas is a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas (https://www.ksb.uscourts.gov).
Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Kansas website
Filing without a lawyerThe court has a "Filing Without an Attorney" section with Before You File, How to File, After You File and Pro Se Debtor Resources pages, plus FAQs and limited (non-attorney) CM/ECF filer access.
Filing Without an Attorney: https://www.ksb.uscourts.gov/filing-without-attorney
Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Kansas home page

Bankruptcy FAQ

Which bankruptcy court do I file in for Kansas?
Kansas is a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas (https://www.ksb.uscourts.gov).
What is the bankruptcy means test income limit in Kansas?
1 person: $69,197; 2 people: $87,441; 3 people: $103,852; 4 people: $125,971; 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 Kansas?
Kansas filers must use Kansas exemptions; no individual debtor may elect the federal exemption list. Kansas does allow filers to add the federal benefits exemption in 11 U.S.C. 522(d)(10) (Social Security, unemployment, disability, alimony/support and certain pension payments) on top of state exemptions.
How much home equity is protected in bankruptcy in Kansas?
No dollar limit. Up to 160 acres of farming land, or one acre within an incorporated town or city, or a manufactured or mobile home, occupied as a residence by the owner or the owner's family. Does not protect against taxes, purchase-money obligations or improvement liens.
Can I keep my car in bankruptcy in Kansas?
The debtor's interest in one means of conveyance regularly used for transportation (including to and from work), up to $20,000; no value limit for a vehicle designed or equipped for a person with a disability.
Does Kansas have a wildcard exemption?
None. Kansas's personal property exemptions (K.S.A. 60-2304) cover specific property types; no general exemption for property of the filer's choosing was found.
Are retirement accounts protected in bankruptcy in Kansas?
Money or assets in, or payable from, retirement plans qualified under Internal Revenue Code sections 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), 408, 408A or 409 are exempt from all creditors and are treated as spendthrift trusts; not exempt against alternate payees under a qualified domestic relations order or certain child support orders. Federal pension money received within three months is also protected if needed for support.
Are wages protected in bankruptcy in Kansas?
Garnishment may not exceed the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings, the amount above 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage, or the creditor's claim.
Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer in Kansas?
The court has a "Filing Without an Attorney" section with Before You File, How to File, After You File and Pro Se Debtor Resources pages, plus FAQs and limited (non-attorney) CM/ECF filer access.

Bankruptcy in other states

More Kansas 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.