Washington DC Bankruptcy Exemptions
Homestead
15-501 - Any property that the debtor or debtor's dependants uses as their
residence; can include co-op.
Personal Property
15-501 - Motor vehicle to $2,575; household furnishings, goods, clothing,
appliances, books, pets, or musical instruments up to $425 per item and
$8,625 total; health aids; family pictures; family library to $400;
provisions for 3 months; and wrongful death payment; pain and suffering
compensation.
29-298 - Coop association holdings up to $50.
31-2408.01 - Uninsured motorist benefits.
42-1904.09 - Residential condominium deposit.
43-111 - Cemetery and burial funds.
47-4510 - Higher education tuition savings account.
Wages
15-503 - Nonwage earning, including pensions, up to $200 per month for head
of family; or $60 per month otherwise for up to two months.
16-572 - Minimum of 75% of earned but unpaid wages or pension payments.
Judge may authorize more for low-income debtors.
Pensions
11 U.S.C. § 522 - Tax exempt retirement accounts; Traditional and Roth IRAs
up to $1,095,000 per person.
11-1570 - Judges.
15-501 - ERISA-qualified retirement plans, including IRAs. Stock bonus,
pension, or profit-sharing plans.
38-2001.17 & 38-2021.17 - DC public school teachers.
Public Benefits
4-215.01 - Public assistance.
4-507 - Violent crime victims compensation.
15-501 - Social Security benefit; veteran's benefit; crime victim's
reparation law.
32-1517 - Workers' compensation.
51-118 - Unemployment compensation.
Tools of Trade
1-1206 - Notary public seals and documents.
15-501 - Implements, professional books, or tools of the trade up to $1,625;
library, office furniture, and implements of a professional person or
artist, up to $300.
15-503 - Mechanic's tools up to $200.
Alimony and Child Support
15-501 - Alimony or child support.
Insurance
15-501 - Life insurance payments; Unmatured life insurance (but not credit
life insurance).
15-503 - Other insurance proceeds up to $200 per month for a maximum of 2
months if they are for the head of family; up to $60 per month for all
others.
31-4716 - Life insurance proceeds. Disability benefits.
31-4717 - Group life insurance policy or proceeds.
31-4719 - Life insurance proceeds that are exempt from being used to pay
creditors as per a clause in their contract.
31-5315 - Fraternal benefit society benefits.
Miscellaneous
15-501 - Any property up to $850, plus up to $8,075 of any unused amount of
the homestead exemption.