FEDERAL BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
CALIFORNIA HAS TWO SYSTEMS; YOU MUST SELECT ONE OR THE OTHER.
All law references are to California Bankruptcy Code.

ASSET

EXEMPTION

LAW PROVISION

HOMESTEAD

Real or personal property you occupy including mobile home, boat, stock cooperative, community apartment, planned development or condo to $75,000 if single and not disabled; $100,000 for families if no other member has a homestead (if only one spouse files, may exempt one-half of amount if home held as community property and all of amount if home held as tenants in common), $150,000 if 65 or older, or physically or mentally disabled; $100,000 if 55 or older, single and earn under $15,000 or married and earn under $20,000 and creditors seek to force the sale of your home; sale proceeds exempt for 6 months after received (husband and wife may not double).

704.710,

704.720,

704.730

In re McFall, 112 B.R. 336

(9^th Cir. B.A.P., 1990)

PERSONAL PROPERTY

Appliances, furnishings, clothing and food needed

704.020

Bank deposits from Social Security Administration to $2,700

($4,050 for husband and wife)

704.080

Building materials to $2,700 to repair or improve home (husband and wife may not double)

704.030

Burial plot

704.200

Health aids

704.050

Jewelry, heirlooms and art to $6,750 total (husband and wife may not double)

704.040

Motor vehicles to $2,550, or $2,550 in auto insurance if vehicle(s), lost, damaged or destroyed (husband and wife may not double)

704.010

Personal injury and wrongful death causes of action

704.140 (a),

704.150 (a)

Personal injury and wrongful death recoveries needed for support; if receiving installments, at least 75%

704.140(b), (c), (d),

704.150 (b), (c)

May file homestead declaration

704.920

INSURANCE

Disability or health benefits

704.130

Fidelity bonds

Labor 404

Fraternal unemployment benefits

704.120

Homeowner’s insurance proceeds for 6 months after received, to homestead exemption amount

704.720 (b)

Life Insurance proceeds if clause prohibits proceeds from being used to pay beneficiary’s creditors

Ins. 10132, Ins. 10170,

Ins. 10171

Matured life insurance benefits needed for support of unlimited value

704.100 (c)

Unmatured life insurance policy loan value to $10,775 (husband and wife may double to 21,550

704.100 (b)

MISCELLANEOUS

Business or professional licenses

695.060

Inmates’ trust fund to $1350 (husband and wife may not double)

704.090

Property of business partnership

Corp. 15025

PENSIONS

County employees

Gov’t 31452

County firefighters

Gov’t 32210

County peace officers

Gov’t 31913

Private retirement benefits, including IRAs and Keoghs

704.115

Public employees

Gov’t 21201

Public retirement benefits

704.110

PUBLIC BENEFITS

Aid to blind, aged, disabled, AFDC

704.170

Financial aid to students

704.190

Relocation benefits

704.180

Unemployment benefits

704.120

Union benefits due to labor dispute

704.120(b)(5)

Workers’ compensation

704.160

TOOLS OF TRADE

Tools, implements, materials, instruments, uniforms, books, furnishings, equipment, vessel, motor vehicle to $6,750 total; (motor vehicle limited to $4,850) to $13,475 total (motor vehicle limited to $9,700) if used by both spouses in same occupation (cannot claim motor vehicle under tools of trade exemption if claimed under motor vehicle exemption)

704.060

WAGES

75% of wages within 30 days to filing bankruptcy

704.070

Public employees vacation credits; if receiving installments, at least 75%

704.113

SYSTEM 2
NOTE: Married couples may NOT double any exemptions (se In re Talmadge, 822 F.2d 1120 (9^th Cir. 1987);
In re Baldwin, 70 B.R. 612 (9^th Cir. B.A.P. 1987)

ASSET

EXEMPTION

LAW PROVISION

HOMESTEAD

Real or personal property, including co-op, used as residence to $20,725; unused portion of homestead may be applied to any property

703.140 (b)(1)

PERSONAL PROPERTY

Animals, crops, appliances, furnishings, household goods, books, musical instruments and clothing to $525 per item

703.140 (b) (3)

Burial plot to $20,725, in lieu of homestead

703.140 (b) (1)

Health aids

703.140 (b) (9)

Jewelry to $1,350

703.140 (b) (4)

Motor vehicle to $3,300

703.140 (b)( (2)

Personal injury recoveries to $20,775 (not to include pain and suffering; pecuniary loss)

703.140 (b) (11) (D, E)

Wrongful death recoveries needed for support

703.140 (b) (11) (B)

INSURANCE

Disability benefits

703.140 (b) (10)() (C)

Life insurance proceeds needed for support of family

703.140 (b) (11) (C)

Unmatured life insurance contract accrued avails to $9,300

703.140 (b) (8)

Unmatured life insurance policy other than credit

703.140 (b) (7)

MISCELLANEOUS

Alimony, child support needed for support

703.140 (b) (10) (D)

PENSIONS

ERISA-qualified benefits needed for support

703.140 (b) (10) (E)

PUBLIC BENEFITS

Crime victim’s compensation

703.140 (b) (11) (A)

Public Assistance

703.140 (b) (10) (A)

Social Security

703.1400 (b) (10) (A)

Unemployment compensation

703.140 (b) (10) (A)

Veterans’ benefits

703.140 (b) (10) (B)

TOOLS OF TRADE

Implements, books, and tools of trade up to $2,075

703.140 (b) (6)

WAGES

NONE

WILD CARD

$1,100 of any property

703.140 (b) (5)

Unused portion of homestead or burial exemption, of any property to $21,825 total

703.140 (b) (5)