Question 1

Which bankruptcy court do I file in for Nevada?

Accepted Answer

Nevada has one federal bankruptcy court district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada (https://www.nvb.uscourts.gov/).

Question 2

What is the bankruptcy means test income limit in Nevada?

Accepted Answer

Median family income for Nevada: 1 person $72,222; 2 people $87,914; 3 people $101,638; 4 people $114,110; add $11,100 for each additional person beyond 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026.

Question 3

Can you use the federal bankruptcy exemptions in Nevada?

Accepted Answer

Nevada has opted out of the federal exemptions. The federal bankruptcy exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d) do not apply to property owned by a Nevada resident unless Nevada's own exemption list also provides them.

Question 4

How much home equity is protected in bankruptcy in Nevada?

Accepted Answer

A homestead is protected up to $605,000 in equity. If allodial title has been established and not relinquished, all equity in the dwelling, its appurtenances and land is protected. The exemption does not apply to debts for the purchase of the property or improvements (including mechanic's liens), legal taxes, mortgages or deeds of trust (including refinances, home equity loans and lines of credit), or certain consented-to liens such as homeowners' association liens, unless allodial title applies. A dwelling the debtor occupies on land the debtor does not own (for example, a home on rented land) is protected up to $605,000 in equity. The statute sets an equity limit, not an acreage limit. A homestead is selected by a written declaration of homestead.

Question 5

Can I keep my car in bankruptcy in Nevada?

Accepted Answer

One vehicle if the debtor's equity is $15,000 or less, or if the creditor pays the debtor any equity above that amount. A vehicle equipped or modified to provide mobility for a person with a permanent disability is exempt without a dollar limit.

Question 6

Does Nevada have a wildcard exemption?

Accepted Answer

Any personal property not otherwise exempt, including equity in any property, money, stocks, bonds or funds on deposit with a financial institution, up to $10,000 in total value, selected by the debtor.

Question 7

Are retirement accounts protected in bankruptcy in Nevada?

Accepted Answer

Money held in IRAs (traditional and Roth, including inherited IRAs), SEP plans, qualified cash or deferred arrangement plans such as 401(k)s, and qualified stock bonus, pension or profit-sharing trusts is exempt up to $1,000,000 in present value. Benefits and refunds from the Nevada Public Employees' Retirement System and Social Security retirement benefits are also exempt.

Question 8

Are wages protected in bankruptcy in Nevada?

Accepted Answer

For each workweek, the greater of these amounts is exempt: 82% of disposable earnings if the debtor's gross weekly pay was $770 or less when the most recent writ of garnishment was issued (75% if it was more than $770), or 50 times the federal minimum hourly wage. 'Earnings' include wages the debtor has in hand or in a bank or other financial institution account. The exemption generally does not apply to support orders, orders of a bankruptcy court, or state or federal tax debts.

Question 9

Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer in Nevada?

Accepted Answer

The Nevada bankruptcy court's Filing Without an Attorney (Pro Se) page says individuals may appear without an attorney, recommends considering an attorney, and notes the clerk's office cannot give legal advice. It points to Official Form 2000 (required lists, schedules, statements, fees and deadlines for each chapter), a general warning to parties proceeding without an attorney, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filing requirements, creditor matrix information, the fee schedule, FAQs, bankruptcy terminology and videos, instructions for applying to waive the Chapter 7 filing fee or to pay it in installments, guidance on being sued in an adversary proceeding, and the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada bankruptcy manual (English and Spanish).

Question 10

How much does a Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer cost in Nevada?

Accepted Answer

District of Nevada (the state's only bankruptcy district): the Chapter 13 Presumptive Attorney's Fees Guidelines (effective 2/1/2021, adopted under Local Rule 2016.2) set the presumptive fee, including costs, at $5,000.00, which may be awarded through the confirmation order for cases filed on or after February 1, 2021. To receive it, the attorney must certify that the attorney has provided (or will provide without additional compensation) the listed services, including counseling the debtor, preparing and filing the petition, schedules, plan and amendments, necessary motions (such as motions to impose or extend the automatic stay), and attending the section 341 meeting.

State or federal exemptions	Nevada has opted out of the federal exemptions. The federal bankruptcy exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d) do not apply to property owned by a Nevada resident unless Nevada's own exemption list also provides them. Source: NRS 21.090(3)
Homestead exemption	A homestead is protected up to $605,000 in equity. If allodial title has been established and not relinquished, all equity in the dwelling, its appurtenances and land is protected. The exemption does not apply to debts for the purchase of the property or improvements (including mechanic's liens), legal taxes, mortgages or deeds of trust (including refinances, home equity loans and lines of credit), or certain consented-to liens such as homeowners' association liens, unless allodial title applies. A dwelling the debtor occupies on land the debtor does not own (for example, a home on rented land) is protected up to $605,000 in equity. The statute sets an equity limit, not an acreage limit. A homestead is selected by a written declaration of homestead. NRS 21.090: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-021.html#NRS021Sec090 Source: NRS 115.010; NRS 115.020; NRS 21.090(1)(l)-(m)
Car exemption	One vehicle if the debtor's equity is $15,000 or less, or if the creditor pays the debtor any equity above that amount. A vehicle equipped or modified to provide mobility for a person with a permanent disability is exempt without a dollar limit. Source: NRS 21.090(1)(f), (p)
Wildcard exemption	Any personal property not otherwise exempt, including equity in any property, money, stocks, bonds or funds on deposit with a financial institution, up to $10,000 in total value, selected by the debtor. Source: NRS 21.090(1)(z)
Retirement accounts	Money held in IRAs (traditional and Roth, including inherited IRAs), SEP plans, qualified cash or deferred arrangement plans such as 401(k)s, and qualified stock bonus, pension or profit-sharing trusts is exempt up to $1,000,000 in present value. Benefits and refunds from the Nevada Public Employees' Retirement System and Social Security retirement benefits are also exempt. Source: NRS 21.090(1)(r), (y), (ii)
Wages	For each workweek, the greater of these amounts is exempt: 82% of disposable earnings if the debtor's gross weekly pay was $770 or less when the most recent writ of garnishment was issued (75% if it was more than $770), or 50 times the federal minimum hourly wage. 'Earnings' include wages the debtor has in hand or in a bank or other financial institution account. The exemption generally does not apply to support orders, orders of a bankruptcy court, or state or federal tax debts. Source: NRS 21.090(1)(g)

Bankruptcy court	Nevada has one federal bankruptcy court district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada (https://www.nvb.uscourts.gov/). Source: Official U.S. Bankruptcy Court website(s)
Filing without a lawyer	The Nevada bankruptcy court's Filing Without an Attorney (Pro Se) page says individuals may appear without an attorney, recommends considering an attorney, and notes the clerk's office cannot give legal advice. It points to Official Form 2000 (required lists, schedules, statements, fees and deadlines for each chapter), a general warning to parties proceeding without an attorney, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filing requirements, creditor matrix information, the fee schedule, FAQs, bankruptcy terminology and videos, instructions for applying to waive the Chapter 7 filing fee or to pay it in installments, guidance on being sued in an adversary proceeding, and the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada bankruptcy manual (English and Spanish). Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Nevada, Filing Without an Attorney (Pro Se)
Standard Chapter 13 lawyer fee	District of Nevada (the state's only bankruptcy district): the Chapter 13 Presumptive Attorney's Fees Guidelines (effective 2/1/2021, adopted under Local Rule 2016.2) set the presumptive fee, including costs, at $5,000.00, which may be awarded through the confirmation order for cases filed on or after February 1, 2021. To receive it, the attorney must certify that the attorney has provided (or will provide without additional compensation) the listed services, including counseling the debtor, preparing and filing the petition, schedules, plan and amendments, necessary motions (such as motions to impose or extend the automatic stay), and attending the section 341 meeting. Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, D. Nev., Chapter 13 Presumptive Attorney's Fees Guidelines (effective 2/1/2021); Local Rule 2016.2

Filing Bankruptcy in Nevada: Means Test, Exemptions and Courts

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Qualifying for Chapter 7

What you can keep (exemptions)

Where and how to file

Bankruptcy FAQ

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