Our office no longer offers bankruptcy document preparation services. As such, we are not updating any information contained on this page regarding adjustments to the exemption allowances. You should review the California bankruptcy exemption statues, or contact an attorney or other legal authority to ascertain any changes to these allowances.
This California bankruptcy exemptions table has been updated pursuant to the revisions published by the Judicial Council of the Administrative Office of the Courts of California. California bankruptcy exemption amounts get adjusted periodically to account for inflation. These bankruptcy exemptions were last updated by the California Judicial Council to adjust for inflation on April 1, 2016.
This information is not intended to be legal advice and is only to show the differences in the systems. WARNING: Laws and regulations are subject to change. As a result, the accuracy of this exemption list is not guaranteed. Check the specific California Code Sections for any changes.
Unless otherwise noted, all law references are to the California Code of Civil Procedure. These exemptions were last updated by the California Judicial Council to adjust for inflation on April 1, 2016. The next update will be April 1, 2019.
The homestead exemption protects a certain amount of equity in your principal residence. In System 1, you can exempt real or personal property you live in at the time of filing for bankruptcy, including a mobile home, boat, stock cooperative, community apartment, planned development or condominium, up to:
The motor vehicle exemption is designed to protect a certain amount of equity in your car, truck, motorcycle, or other vehicle. Under System 1, your motor vehicle exemption is $2,900 – 704.010.
California’s System 2 exemptions only apply in bankruptcy (they can’t be used to protect your property against creditors outside of bankruptcy). Certain courts have deemed bankruptcy-only exemption systems to be unconstitutional while others allow debtors to use them. This means that some courts (especially if you are filing for bankruptcy outside of California but are still using California exemptions because of domicile rules) may not allow you to use the System 2 exemptions. As a result, consider talking to a knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney to decide which exemptions are permitted in your area.
Unless otherwise noted, all law references are to the California Code of Civil Procedure. These exemptions were last updated by the California Judicial Council to adjust for inflation on April 1, 2013. The next update will be April 1, 2016.
Under System 2, California’s homestead exemption is $26,800 for real or personal property used as a residence – 703.140(b)(1).
In System 2, you can exempt up to $5,350 of equity in your motor vehicles.