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Filing Bankruptcy in Minnesota: Means Test, Exemptions and Courts

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

Quick answers for Minnesota

Means test median income
1 person: $77,696; 2 people: $98,328; 3 people: $126,487; 4 people: $149,882; 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
Filers may choose either Minnesota's exemptions or the federal bankruptcy exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d). 11 U.S.C. 522(b)(1)-(3); Minn. Stat. § 550.37
Homestead exemption
$540,000 per homestead, or $1,350,000 if used primarily for agricultural purposes (effective July 1, 2026; the statute text currently reads $510,000 / $1,275,000). The homestead may include up to 160 acres. Minn. Stat. § 510.02, subds. 1-2; Minnesota Department of Commerce adjustment effective July 1, 2026
Bankruptcy court
Minnesota is a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota (https://www.mnb.uscourts.gov). U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Minnesota website

Last verified: 2026-10-27

Qualifying for Chapter 7

Means test median income1 person: $77,696; 2 people: $98,328; 3 people: $126,487; 4 people: $149,882; 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 exemptionsFilers may choose either Minnesota's exemptions or the federal bankruptcy exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d).
No Minnesota 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)). Minnesota's statute includes a wildcard that applies only "in a bankruptcy" (Minn. Stat. § 550.37, subd. 28).
Source: 11 U.S.C. 522(b)(1)-(3); Minn. Stat. § 550.37
Homestead exemption$540,000 per homestead, or $1,350,000 if used primarily for agricultural purposes (effective July 1, 2026; the statute text currently reads $510,000 / $1,275,000). The homestead may include up to 160 acres.
Adjusted amounts are from the Minnesota Department of Commerce official notice of dollar-amount adjustments, effective July 1, 2026 (next adjustment scheduled for July 1, 2028): https://mn.gov/commerce/money/depository/interest-rates/dollar-amounts/ Statute: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/510.02
Source: Minn. Stat. § 510.02, subds. 1-2; Minnesota Department of Commerce adjustment effective July 1, 2026
Car exemptionOne motor vehicle: $10,200 (effective July 1, 2026); $27,000 for a vehicle regularly used for the benefit of a disabled person; $110,000 for a vehicle designed or modified for a disability; $13,750 for one vehicle reasonably necessary for the debtor's trade, business or profession.
Adjusted amounts are from the Minnesota Department of Commerce official notice of dollar-amount adjustments, effective July 1, 2026 (next adjustment scheduled for July 1, 2028): https://mn.gov/commerce/money/depository/interest-rates/dollar-amounts/
Source: Minn. Stat. § 550.37, subd. 12a; Minnesota Department of Commerce adjustment effective July 1, 2026
Wildcard exemptionIn a bankruptcy, any property (including bank funds) up to $1,650 (effective July 1, 2026; statute base $1,500).
Adjusted amounts are from the Minnesota Department of Commerce official notice of dollar-amount adjustments, effective July 1, 2026 (next adjustment scheduled for July 1, 2028): https://mn.gov/commerce/money/depository/interest-rates/dollar-amounts/
Source: Minn. Stat. § 550.37, subd. 28; Minnesota Department of Commerce adjustment effective July 1, 2026
Retirement accountsPayments and rights under stock bonus, pension, profit-sharing, annuity, IRA, Roth IRA, SEP and similar plans are exempt up to a present value of $84,000 (effective July 1, 2026; the statute text reads $81,000), plus additional amounts reasonably necessary for the support of the debtor, spouse and dependents. Not exempt against support orders.
Adjusted amounts are from the Minnesota Department of Commerce official notice of dollar-amount adjustments, effective July 1, 2026 (next adjustment scheduled for July 1, 2028): https://mn.gov/commerce/money/depository/interest-rates/dollar-amounts/ Federal law (11 U.S.C. 522(b)(3)(C)) separately protects tax-exempt retirement funds in bankruptcy.
Source: Minn. Stat. § 550.37, subd. 24; Minnesota Department of Commerce adjustment effective July 1, 2026
WagesEarnings that cannot be garnished under Minn. Stat. § 571.922 are exempt. Garnishment is limited to 10%, 15% or 25% of disposable earnings depending on weekly income (relative to 40, 60 and 80 times the greater of the Minnesota or federal minimum wage), or the amount above 40 times that minimum wage, whichever is less.
Source: Minn. Stat. §§ 550.37, subd. 13; 571.922(a)-(b)

Where and how to file

Bankruptcy courtMinnesota is a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota (https://www.mnb.uscourts.gov).
Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Minnesota website
Filing without a lawyerThe court has a "Filing Without An Attorney" page, free Bankruptcy Advice Clinics (up to 15 minutes of basic advice from volunteer lawyers), debtor help resources, a credit counseling warning, and local forms.
Filing Without An Attorney: https://www.mnb.uscourts.gov/filing-without-attorney-0
Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Minnesota home page
Standard Chapter 13 lawyer feeDistrict of Minnesota (the state's only bankruptcy district): the court's Guidance: Applications for Compensation by Debtors' Attorneys in Chapter 13 Cases (08/2026), under Local Rule 2016-1, provides that an attorney who performs the listed required prepetition and preconfirmation services may request an order awarding compensation using Local Form 2016-1 if the requested compensation, including amounts received prepetition, does not exceed $4,000 (the presumptively reasonable fee). The $4,000 fee does not include adversary proceedings, Rule 2004 examinations, postconfirmation hearings, and listed motions (e.g., to sell property or incur debt, claim objections, lien avoidance, plan modification, hardship discharge) or responses to stay-relief, valuation and postconfirmation dismissal motions. Separate presumptively reasonable fees apply of up to $1,500 per application for postconfirmation modified plans and up to $1,000 per application for listed other services.
Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, D. Minn., Guidance: Applications for Compensation by Debtors' Attorneys in Chapter 13 Cases (08/2026); Local Rule 2016-1

Bankruptcy FAQ

Which bankruptcy court do I file in for Minnesota?
Minnesota is a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota (https://www.mnb.uscourts.gov).
What is the bankruptcy means test income limit in Minnesota?
1 person: $77,696; 2 people: $98,328; 3 people: $126,487; 4 people: $149,882; 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 Minnesota?
Filers may choose either Minnesota's exemptions or the federal bankruptcy exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d).
How much home equity is protected in bankruptcy in Minnesota?
$540,000 per homestead, or $1,350,000 if used primarily for agricultural purposes (effective July 1, 2026; the statute text currently reads $510,000 / $1,275,000). The homestead may include up to 160 acres.
Can I keep my car in bankruptcy in Minnesota?
One motor vehicle: $10,200 (effective July 1, 2026); $27,000 for a vehicle regularly used for the benefit of a disabled person; $110,000 for a vehicle designed or modified for a disability; $13,750 for one vehicle reasonably necessary for the debtor's trade, business or profession.
Does Minnesota have a wildcard exemption?
In a bankruptcy, any property (including bank funds) up to $1,650 (effective July 1, 2026; statute base $1,500).
Are retirement accounts protected in bankruptcy in Minnesota?
Payments and rights under stock bonus, pension, profit-sharing, annuity, IRA, Roth IRA, SEP and similar plans are exempt up to a present value of $84,000 (effective July 1, 2026; the statute text reads $81,000), plus additional amounts reasonably necessary for the support of the debtor, spouse and dependents. Not exempt against support orders.
Are wages protected in bankruptcy in Minnesota?
Earnings that cannot be garnished under Minn. Stat. § 571.922 are exempt. Garnishment is limited to 10%, 15% or 25% of disposable earnings depending on weekly income (relative to 40, 60 and 80 times the greater of the Minnesota or federal minimum wage), or the amount above 40 times that minimum wage, whichever is less.
Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer in Minnesota?
The court has a "Filing Without An Attorney" page, free Bankruptcy Advice Clinics (up to 15 minutes of basic advice from volunteer lawyers), debtor help resources, a credit counseling warning, and local forms.
How much does a Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer cost in Minnesota?
District of Minnesota (the state's only bankruptcy district): the court's Guidance: Applications for Compensation by Debtors' Attorneys in Chapter 13 Cases (08/2026), under Local Rule 2016-1, provides that an attorney who performs the listed required prepetition and preconfirmation services may request an order awarding compensation using Local Form 2016-1 if the requested compensation, including amounts received prepetition, does not exceed $4,000 (the presumptively reasonable fee). The $4,000 fee does not include adversary proceedings, Rule 2004 examinations, postconfirmation hearings, and listed motions (e.g., to sell property or incur debt, claim objections, lien avoidance, plan modification, hardship discharge) or responses to stay-relief, valuation and postconfirmation dismissal motions. Separate presumptively reasonable fees apply of up to $1,500 per application for postconfirmation modified plans and up to $1,000 per application for listed other services.

Bankruptcy in other states

More Minnesota 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.