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Which states allow me to use the federal bankruptcy exemptions?

1 minute read • Upsolve is a nonprofit that helps you get out of debt with education and free debt relief tools, like our bankruptcy filing tool. Think TurboTax for bankruptcy. Get free education, customer support, and community. Featured in Forbes 4x and funded by institutions like Harvard University so we'll never ask you for a credit card.  Explore our free tool

In a Nutshell

Find out which states allow filers to choose between their state's exemptions and the federal bankruptcy exemptions.

Written by the Upsolve Team. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated May 11, 2023

The following states allow filers to use the federal bankruptcy exemptions instead of their state exemptions. If you haven't lived in your current state for more than two years before filing, remember to make sure you know which exemptions you're eligible for.

  • Alaska

  • Arkansas

  • Connecticut

  • District of Columbia

  • Hawaii

  • Kentucky

  • Massachusetts

  • Michigan

  • Minnesota

  • New Hampshire

  • New Jersey

  • New Mexico

  • New York

  • Oregon

  • Pennsylvania

  • Rhode Island

  • Texas

  • Vermont

  • Washington

  • Wisconsin

All other states require you to use their state-specific exemptions.

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Written By:

The Upsolve Team

Upsolve is fortunate to have a remarkable team of bankruptcy attorneys, as well as finance and consumer rights professionals, as contributing writers to help us keep our content up to date, informative, and helpful to everyone.

Attorney Andrea Wimmer

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Andrea practiced exclusively as a bankruptcy attorney in consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases for more than 10 years before joining Upsolve, first as a contributing writer and editor and ultimately joining the team as Managing Editor. While in private practice, Andrea handled... read more about Attorney Andrea Wimmer

Read About the Upsolve Team

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