District of Columbia Bankruptcy Exemptions
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Insurance Lawyer
Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...
Jeffrey Johnson
Insurance Lawyer
Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...
Jeffrey Johnson
Updated January 2025
Federal bankruptcy exemptions available? YES
Though not included in the District of Columbia statutory homestead exemption, a court has held that property owned by a married couple as a tenancy by the entirety is exempt if only one spouse owes the debt.
The references to District of Columbia statutes are to the District of Columbia Code.
Resources:
United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Columbia
Washington DC Bankruptcy Attorneys
| DC Bankruptcy Exemptions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Assets | Exemption | State Statute |
| Homestead | Residence of debtor or debtor’s dependents: all. | 15-501(a)(14) |
| Insurance | Life insurance contract (unmatured) other than credit life insurance: all. | 15-501(a)(5) |
| Disability benefits: all. | 15-501(a)(7); 31-4716.01 | |
| Life insurance payments: all. | 15-501(a)(11) | |
| Other insurance proceeds: up to $200 per month for a maximum of 2 months for the person providing the principal support for a family; up to $60 a month for 2 months for all others. | 15-503 | |
| Life insurance proceeds or avails: all. | 31-4716 | |
| Group life insurance policy/proceeds: all. | 31-4717 | |
| Life insurance proceeds: all if policy has a clause prohibiting the proceeds from being used to pay the creditors of the beneficiary. | 31-4719 | |
| Benefits from a fraternal benefit society: all. | 31-5315 | |
| Miscellaneous | Child support and alimony payments: all. | 15-501(a)(7) |
| Pensions | Federal pension exemptions. | |
| Judge pensions: all. | 11-1570(f) | |
| Stock bonuses, annuity payments, pensions payments, and profit-sharing plans: all. | 15-501(a)(7) | |
| IRA’s, Keoghs, and other ERISA-qualified benefits: up to maximum tax-deductible contribution. | 15-501(a)(9) | |
| Public school teacher pensions: all. | 38-2001.17; 38-2021.17 | |
| Personal Property | Motor vehicle: up to $2,575. | 15-501(a)(1) |
| Household furnishings, appliances, musical instruments, books, clothing, and pets: up to $425 for each item and $8,625 total. | 15-501(a)(2) | |
| Professionally prescribed health aids. | 15-501(a)(6) | |
| Family pictures: all. | 15-501(a)(8) | |
| Family library: up to $400. | 15-501(a)(8) | |
| Recovery for loss, including pain and suffering of the debtor or someone the debtor depends upon: all. | 15-501(a)(11) | |
| Recovery for wrongful death: all. | 15-501(a)(11); 16-2703 | |
| Food: enough to last 3 months. | 15-501(a)(12) | |
| Holdings in cooperative association: up to $500. | 29-928 | |
| Deposit for a residential condominium: all. | 42-1904.09 | |
| Burial and cemetery funds: all. | 43-111 | |
| Savings account for higher education: all. | 47-4510 | |
| Public Benefits | General assistance: all. | 4-215.01 |
| Blind, aged, or disabled aid: all. | 4-215.01 | |
| Crime victim’s compensation benefits: all. | 4-507(e); 15-501(a)(11) | |
| Social Security benefits: all. | 15-501(a)(7) | |
| Veterans’ benefits: all. | 15-501(a)(7) | |
| Workers’ compensation benefits: all. | 32-1517 | |
| Unemployment compensation benefits: all. | 51-118 | |
| Tools of Your Trade | Seal and documents of notary public: all. | 1-1206 |
| Tools needed for trade or business: up to $1,625. | 15-501(a)(4) | |
| Furniture, tools, and library of artist or professional: up to $300. | 15-501(a)(13) | |
| Tools of mechanic: up to $200. | 15-503(b) | |
| Wages | Recovery for loss of future earnings: all. | 15-501(a)(11)(E) |
| Earnings other than wages, such as pensions and retirement funds: up to $200 per month for head of family; up to $60 per month for 2 months for those not head of family. | 15-503 | |
| Wages earned but not yet paid: at least 75% of wages and pension payments. The bankruptcy judge may allow a larger percentage for low-income debtors. | 16-572 | |
| Wildcard | Any property: up to $850. | 15-501(a)(3) |
| Any property: up to $8,075 of unused homestead exemption. | 15-501(a)(3) | |
Case Studies: District of Columbia Bankruptcy Exemptions
Case Study 1: Tenancy by the Entirety Exemption
Sarah and John, a married couple in the District of Columbia, faced financial difficulties. When considering bankruptcy, they discovered that their property, held as a tenancy by the entirety, may be exempt from one spouse’s debt. This exemption protected their property during the bankruptcy process.
Case Study 2: Bankruptcy Protection in Washington DC
Mark, a resident of Washington DC, found himself overwhelmed by debt and sought bankruptcy protection. With the guidance of experienced Washington DC bankruptcy attorneys, he successfully filed for bankruptcy, utilizing federal bankruptcy exemptions to safeguard his assets.
Case Study 3: Understanding of District of Columbia Bankruptcy Laws
Lisa, facing financial challenges in the District of Columbia, sought legal advice to navigate the bankruptcy process. Through consultations with a knowledgeable attorney, she gained a clear understanding of the District of Columbia Code and discovered resources available through the United States Bankruptcy Court.
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