Alabama bankruptcy exemption laws protect property in bankruptcy and are essential to a fresh start. When you file, the Alabama bankruptcy exemptions will let you keep what you need to work and live. However, exemptions protect essential assets only, not unnecessary luxury goods.
To prevent a costly property loss, you'll want to understand the exemptions available under Alabama and what happens to property you can't protect with an exemption. In this article, you'll also learn whether you've lived in Alabama long enough to use Alabama bankruptcy exemptions.
Bankruptcy is a federal process that works the same way in every state. However, you'll use Alabama state laws known as "bankruptcy exemptions" and federal nonbankruptcy exemptions to protect your property. Federal bankruptcy exemptions aren't available in Alabama.
Alabama Bankruptcy ExemptionsCaution: The state exemptions have not been updated and should not be relied on but only used as a general guide. Some state exemption amounts could be higher, and your state could have changed the law by adding new or deleting old exemptions. Verify exemption availability through research or by consulting a local bankruptcy attorney. Spouses filing jointly can double exemptions. |
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Homestead Exemption |
Ala. Code §§ 6-10-4; 6-10-12 Learn about using the homestead exemption in Alabama. |
Motor Vehicle Exemption |
None |
Tools of Trade Exemption |
Ala. Code §§ 6-10-126(a)(3),(4); 31-2-78 |
Wildcard Exemption |
Ala. Code §§ 6-10-6; 6-10-12 Learn about the wildcard exemption in Alabama. |
Personal Property Exemptions |
Ala. Code §§ 6-10-5; 6-10-6; 6-10-126(a)(2); 19-3B-508 |
Retirement Accounts |
Ala. Code §§ 12-18-10 (a), (b); 16-25-23; 36-21-77; 36-27-28 Federal law lets all filers keep tax-exempt retirement accounts in bankruptcy. These retirement accounts include 401(K)s, 403(b)s, profit-sharing and money purchase plans, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, and traditional and Roth IRAs to $1,512,350 per person. (11 U.S.C. 522(b)(3)(C); (n); amounts valid for bankruptcy cases filed between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2025.) |
Available Federal Exemptions |
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Where to Find Statutes |
Below, you'll find more Alabama exemptions.
This is not an exhaustive list, and exemption laws can change. Check for current figures on the Alabama State Treasurer's website. The amounts change every three years, with those posted on July 1 going into effect the following year on April 1 (the above figures are valid as of April 1, 2024). Also, read the statute for qualification requirements (we haven't included them here).
Almost everyone who files for bankruptcy benefits from meeting with a bankruptcy lawyer. A local bankruptcy attorney will ensure a smooth and uneventful bankruptcy by complying with filing requirements and helping you protect all possible property.
It's tempting to move to a state with significantly more generous bankruptcy exemptions when filing for bankruptcy. But it doesn't work that way. Filers must live in the state for at least two years to prevent people from abusing the system. Otherwise, they must use the previous state's exemptions. Here's how it works.
Did you get that? If not, here's a way to figure it out. Count back two-and-a-half years. Then ask yourself where you lived the longest during the first six months of that two-and-a-half-year period.
Still confused?Let's try an example. Suppose you planned to file on January 1, 2022. Your two-and-a-half-year period would start July 1, 2019, and you'd qualify to use the exemptions of whichever state you resided in the most from July 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019. You wouldn't have to file your case there, but you'd use that state's exemptions. Hopefully, that helps!
Homestead exemption. The homestead exemption protects your ownership interest in your home and you must comply with a federal timing law. You must live in the home for over 40 months before filing for bankruptcy. Otherwise, your homestead exemption is capped at $189,050 if you file on or after April 1, 2022 (the amount changes every three years). This cap won't apply if you bought your home with home sales proceeds from that state.
What Happens to Property You Can't Exempt
It will depend on the chapter you file. In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you lose property not covered by an exemption. The bankruptcy trustee responsible for managing your case will sell the property for the benefit of your creditors.
In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you can keep all your property. However, that luxury comes at a price. You'll pay your creditors the value of any property not covered by an exemption in your Chapter 13 repayment plan.
For example, say you own a car outright worth $3,000, and your state has a vehicle exemption of up to $5,000. Here's what would happen in each chapter.
Keep in mind that these examples don't include a vehicle loan. Below, you'll find more information about protecting financed homes and cars in an Alabama bankruptcy.
Many wonder if they can wipe out a home mortgage or car loan and keep the property without paying for it. The simple answer is "No." If you still owe a balance on your mortgage or car loan, you must pay as agreed to prevent the lender from foreclosing or repossessing the property.
Why? Because when you purchased it, you gave the lender a property "lien." The lien created a secured debt, allowing the lender to take back the property if you don't pay as agreed, even in bankruptcy.
Chapter 7 doesn't have a mechanism that will allow you to catch up on a mortgage or car payment over time. So, the mortgage or car payment must be current. You'll lose the property if you're behind on the payment and file for Chapter 7.
The lender will ask the bankruptcy court to allow the lender to proceed with foreclosure or repossession during the bankruptcy or wait until Chapter 7 ends.
A few more vehicle protection options exist in Chapter 7. Learn more about how to file for bankruptcy without losing a car.
You don't lose property in Chapter 13. However, before the bankruptcy judge approves or "confirms" your plan, you must prove you earn enough to make the monthly payment and pay the late payments by the end of the three- to five-year plan.
Some filers can pay less on financed property if they qualify to reduce an auto loan to the car's value or strip a junior mortgage, credit line, or lien from a home. Learn more about catching up on arrearages in Chapter 13 and how mortgages work in bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy is essentially a qualification process. The laws provide instructions for completing a 50- to 60-page bankruptcy petition, and because the rules apply to every case, you can't skip a step. While we wholeheartedly encourage research and learning, online articles can't address all bankruptcy issues or the facts of your case. The best way to protect your assets in bankruptcy is by hiring a local bankruptcy lawyer.
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