Filing Bankruptcy in Massachusetts: Means Test, Exemptions and Courts

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

1 person: $88,202; 2 people: $112,708; 3 people: $139,411; 4 people: $178,524; 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 Massachusetts exemptions or the federal bankruptcy exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d).

An automatic homestead exemption of $125,000 applies to a principal residence without any filing. A declared homestead exemption of $1,000,000 is available by recording a written homestead declaration. For joint tenants or tenants by the entirety the exemption stays whole (not split) but owners together cannot exceed the cap; for tenants in common or trust beneficiaries it is divided among the owners. Elderly (62+) or disabled owners may record a separate declaration under section 2.

An automobile needed for personal transportation or to keep a job, up to $7,500 in wholesale resale value; up to $15,000 for a vehicle owned or substantially used by a debtor who is handicapped or 60 or older.

Any personal property up to $1,000, plus up to $5,000 of any unused amount of the household furniture (Second), tools/equipment (Fifth) and automobile (Sixteenth) exemptions.

Interests in ERISA pension, annuity and profit-sharing plans, Keogh plans, 401(a) plans, SEPs, 403(b) annuities, and IRAs (and annuities bought with their distributions) are exempt from insolvency laws and from attachment.

Wages equal to the greater of 85% of gross wages or 50 times the higher of the federal or Massachusetts hourly minimum wage for each week, plus $2,500 in cash or bank or investment deposits, and all public assistance.

The court's debtor information pages include Administrative Procedures for Electronic Filing for Pro Se Parties (2025), bankruptcy FAQs, a bankruptcy video series, a legal advice/legal services page, and instructions for filing the list of creditors (matrix).

District of Massachusetts (the state's only bankruptcy district): under MLBR Appendix 1, Rule 13-7(e), "No Look" Amount, unless the court orders otherwise, if the debtor's attorney has been paid or accrued fees (1) for pre-confirmation services totaling $4,000 or less and Qualified Expenses totaling $1,000 or less, and (2) for post-confirmation services up to an additional $1,000 (plus any amount by which pre-confirmation fees were less than $4,000), plus Qualified Expenses, disclosure in the Rule 2016(b) statement and Statement of Financial Affairs is sufficient and an itemized fee application is excused. "Qualified Expenses" are listed out-of-pocket costs such as filing fees, appraisals, title examinations, credit reports and credit counseling and financial management courses. Fees not paid before the petition are paid through the plan. Compensation above the no-look amount requires an application (Official Local Form 17 for total fees up to $10,000).