What Creditors Can't Take in California
Money, home and vehicle exemptions that protect your property from creditors in California.
Short answer: $2,325 per debtor in deposit accounts is exempt automatically, without filing a claim (effective July 1, 2026). Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 704.220, 704.080; Judicial Council form EJ-156 (rev. July 20, 2026)
| Money protected in a bank account | $2,325 per debtor in deposit accounts is exempt automatically, without filing a claim (effective July 1, 2026). The amount equals the state's minimum basic standard of adequate care for a family of four (Region 1) and is adjusted every July 1. Higher automatic amounts apply to directly deposited Social Security or public benefits. The automatic exemption does not apply to levies for child or spousal support, wages owed, or state tax collection. |
|---|---|
| Homestead exemption | The greater of $300,000 or the countywide median sale price for a single-family home in the prior year, capped at $600,000. Both figures are adjusted every January 1 for inflation (California CPI), beginning in 2022. The current inflation-adjusted floor and cap were not found on an official source. Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 704.730 |
| Vehicle exemption | $8,625 in combined equity in motor vehicles (and proceeds from their sale or insurance), effective April 1, 2025. The statute's base figure is $7,500, adjusted every 3 years. Statute: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP§ionNum=704.010. Next 3-year adjustment expected April 1, 2028. |
| Bankruptcy exemptions | California has opted out of the federal exemptions. In bankruptcy, debtors choose between California's two state exemption systems: the regular exemptions (including the homestead) or the alternative set in CCP § 703.140(b), which includes a $36,750 residence/wildcard amount (effective April 1, 2025). Dollar amount from https://courts.ca.gov/documents/ej156.pdf |
Where to get help in California
- California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), which licenses debt collectors and enforces the Rosenthal Act
- File a complaint or claim
More California debt & collections
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in California
- Wage Garnishment in California
- How to Respond to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in California
- Medical Debt Protections in California
- All California debt & collections rules
FAQ
How much money in a bank account is protected from creditors in California?
$2,325 per debtor in deposit accounts is exempt automatically, without filing a claim (effective July 1, 2026). The amount equals the state's minimum basic standard of adequate care for a family of four (Region 1) and is adjusted every July 1. Higher automatic amounts apply to directly deposited Social Security or public benefits. The automatic exemption does not apply to levies for child or spousal support, wages owed, or state tax collection.
What is the homestead exemption in California?
The greater of $300,000 or the countywide median sale price for a single-family home in the prior year, capped at $600,000. Both figures are adjusted every January 1 for inflation (California CPI), beginning in 2022.
Can a creditor take my car in California?
$8,625 in combined equity in motor vehicles (and proceeds from their sale or insurance), effective April 1, 2025. The statute's base figure is $7,500, adjusted every 3 years.
Which bankruptcy exemptions can I use in California?
California has opted out of the federal exemptions. In bankruptcy, debtors choose between California's two state exemption systems: the regular exemptions (including the homestead) or the alternative set in CCP § 703.140(b), which includes a $36,750 residence/wildcard amount (effective April 1, 2025).
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.