How California Exemption System 1 Differs From System 2

Updated By Kathleen Michon

California allows debtors to choose from two different sets of bankruptcy exemption schemes. They are informally called System 1 and System 2. To learn more about what exemptions are and how they work in bankruptcy, see Bankruptcy Exemptions – What Can I Keep When I File for Bankruptcy? 

Below we discuss some of the major differences between California's two exemption systems. For a detailed list of the exemptions in each of California's exemption systems, see California Bankruptcy Exemptions.

Differences Between System 1 and System 2 Exemptions

There are lots of differences between the exemptions allowed in California's System 1 and System 2. Here are some of the big ones. 

• Married Couples - System 1 allows married couples filing jointly for bankrupty to each claim the amount of the exemption (which means as a couple, they get twice the amount of the listed exemption). This is called "doubling." System 2 does not allow married couples filing jointly to double. 

• Homestead Exemption - Generally debtors who own their homes prefer System 1 as the value of the homestead exemption allowed under System 1 is up to $75,000 for single filers, $100,000 for a family, and $175,000 if the homeowner is 65 or older or physically or mentally disabled. Under System 2, the homestead exemption is $22,075.

• Wage Exemption - No wage exemption is permitted under System 2 while System 1 allows an exemption of at least 75 percent of the wages received by the debtor within 30 days of bankruptcy filing.

• Jewelry - System 1 allows debtors to exempt up to $7,175 of jewels, heirlooms, and art. System 2 caps the value of this exemption at $1,425. 

• Child Support and Alimony - All funds for child support and alimony can be exempted under System 2, but not under System 1.

• Wildcard - Under System 2, you can exempt up to $1,175 of any property plus an unused amount of the homestead exemption (which is $22,075). System 1 does not have a wildcard. For this reason, many bankruptcy filers that do not own a home find System 2 to be most advantageous.